Seven Heritage Players Retain Malaysian Citizenship, Eligible to Play in M-League

PETALING JAYA: Seven heritage players have retained their status as Malaysian citizens following the expiry of their 12-month suspension imposed by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) yesterday.

Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) President Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan said the matter had already been communicated to all Malaysian League (M-League) club representatives during a roundtable discussion in April.

He said Malaysian Football League (MFL) Chief Executive Officer Mohd Shazli Shaik Mohd had also clarified the situation, dismissing any confusion regarding their status as Malaysian citizens.

“As I mentioned at the MFL level, we had already made this clear during the roundtable discussion. Shazli also confirmed that these players are Malaysian citizens,” he told reporters.

The issue resurfaced after an MFL letter circulated on social media, stating that the seven players were permitted to resume football activities from November 1, 2026, following the completion of their 12-month FIFA suspensions over a document falsification case last year.

The players involved are Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal Iraurgui and Hector Hevel.

The expiry of their suspensions paves the way for them to return to domestic competitions with their respective clubs.

Three players – Irazabal, Figueiredo and Hevel – are now awaiting their return to strengthen Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), while Holgado has been linked with a possible move to DPMM FC.

However, permission to resume playing at club level does not automatically make them eligible to represent the national team, as their international eligibility remains subject to FIFA regulations and decisions.

UTUSAN MALAYSIA