Four illegally naturalized players officially banned from playing in Malaysia

The M-League organizing committee (MFL) confirmed that four players of the Harimau Malaya national team, currently under FIFA sanctions, will not be permitted to participate in official matches.

In a statement issued on March 13, MFL stated that four players from Johor Darul Ta'zim Club—Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, Hector Hevel—along with Gabriel Palmero from Kuching City had been properly registered according to the Malaysia League regulations for the 2025/2026 season.

Notably, even though both CAS and FIFA had rejected the appeal from FAM, MFL still asserted that all four aforementioned players had completed the procedures with valid identity cards issued by the Malaysian National Registration Department (JPN), thereby being registered as domestic players for the current season.

“MFL confirms there were no violations of regulations in the registration process of Figueiredo, Irazabal, Hevel, and Palmero by their respective clubs this season,” the MFL announcement clarified.

However, MFL also affirmed that the four players must still serve the 12-month suspension imposed by FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), meaning they are not allowed to play in official matches while the suspension remains effective.

Previously, this group of players, along with Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, and Imanol Machuca, were penalized by FIFA for involvement in falsifying documents to prove eligibility. Nevertheless, after reviewing the appeal, CAS partially granted the players' request.

According to the ruling of CAS, the players are still permitted to train and participate in football-related activities, but are banned from playing in official matches during the suspension period.