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The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has declared it will contest FIFA's decision to sanction the organization for supposedly falsifying the nationality papers of seven overseas-born players, who have now been banned from representing the country for one year.

FIFA's Allegations and Fines

In the ninth month, FIFA imposed a penalty of over four hundred thousand dollars on FAM and banned the footballers after discovering that their grandparents were not Malaysian by birth as claimed, but rather in Argentina, Brazil, the Netherlands and the Iberian nation. The global football governing body reiterated its assertions about doctored papers in a official investigation report published on the start of the week.

Each of the players – who all took part in Malaysia's 4-0 win over the Vietnamese team in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifier this summer – was also fined $2,500.

The accused group includes Spanish-born Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Garces and Jon Irazabal Iraurgui, born in Argentina Rodrigo Julian Holgado and Machuca, as well as Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano who was born in the Netherlands, and Figueiredo who was born Brazil.

FIFA's Stance on Document Falsification

"Document falsification represents, pure and simple, a type of dishonesty," said FIFA in its findings.

"Forging documents undermines the very core of the fundamental principles of football, not only those governing a player’s eligibility to represent a country's squad, but also the core ethics of a clean sport and the concept of sportsmanship," commented a senior official, deputy chairperson of FIFA's ethics panel.

FAM's Response and Appeal Plan

FIFA's document states that FAM conceded it "received inquiries by third parties regarding the players’ heritage and failed to personally confirm the validity of the documentation."

"The original birth certificates indicated a stark difference to the documentation provided," it noted.

FIFA also mentioned it was "managed to acquire the authentic papers without hindrance," which revealed a "lack of proper diligence" by the Malaysian body.

The Football Association of Malaysia reacted to FIFA's allegations in a official communication on Tuesday, maintaining the discrepancies were the outcome of an "administrative error" and the players are "rightful citizens of Malaysia."

"Claims that players 'acquired or were knowledgeable of fake documents' are unfounded as no solid evidence has been provided to date," the announcement declared.

The association will present an formal challenge of FIFA's ruling, using original documents that have been verified by the national authorities.

Southeast Asian Context and Political Reactions

South-east Asian countries have recently pursued recruitment drives for naturalised players, modelled after Indonesia's strategy of recruiting born in the Netherlands footballers from the overseas community.

The country's minister for sports, the official, stated in a statement that "FAM needs to finish the challenge procedure and that they cannot remain silent but must respond clearly to all revelations made by FIFA."

"Fans are upset, disappointed and let down," she added.

Present Situation and Forthcoming Games

Despite doubt surrounding the national team's lineup, Malaysia is now ranked 123rd in FIFA's AFC ranking and is scheduled to compete in qualifying matches for the Asian Cup this month, facing Laos on Thursday.