The Malaysian Football League (MFL) has confirmed that the registration of four heritage players as local footballers in the 2025/26 Malaysian League season complies fully with the competition regulations.
The players involved include three from Johor Darul Ta’zim — João Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Héctor Hevel — as well as Gabriel Palmero of Kuching City.
According to the league governing body, all four players were registered in accordance with the official rules outlined in the 2025/26 Malaysia League Competition Manual.
Referring to the Malaysia League Manual 2025/26, under Competition Regulations Article 3: Registration and Transfer System for Officials and Players, the registration process is managed through the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) information platform known as MYPAS (FIFA CONNECT).
The regulations state that clubs must submit official identification documents for players, which include: a coloured copy of a national identity card, or a coloured copy of a passport.
The same requirements were reiterated in a circular issued to all Malaysia League clubs on 12 June 2025, specifically under Clause 8.2, which outlines the mandatory documents that must be uploaded in PDF format for player registration approval.
MFL confirmed that the four players completed the registration process using valid Malaysian identity cards issued by the National Registration Department Malaysia(JPN).
As a result, their classification as local players in the Malaysia League 2025/26 season is fully compliant with the league’s competition regulations.
Therefore, the league authority stated that no breach of rules was committed by Johor Darul Ta’zim or Kuching City regarding the player registrations.
Despite the confirmation of proper registration procedures by MFL, the four players remain subject to disciplinary sanctions imposed by global football authorities.
Both FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) recently ruled that the players must serve a 12-month suspension from official matches.
This means that although their domestic registration is valid, they cannot participate in official competitions during the suspension period.
Credit Photo : JST
