The global players’ union FIFPRO has issued a firm and critical statement following the FIFA Appeal Committee’s verdict on the seven footballers who sought eligibility to represent Malaysia, condemning the 12-month ban imposed on them as “grossly disproportionate” and fundamentally unjust.
The ruling, which bars the players from all football-related activities for a full year, has sparked widespread debate both domestically and internationally — and FIFPRO has now stepped in with an official rebuke.
In its statement, FIFPRO emphasized that the FIFA Appeal Committee’s own findings confirmed the players did not forge any documents. The documents submitted were deemed authentic, and the players were shown to have followed every procedural step required of them.
FIFPRO pointed out that when seven players are caught in the same situation, it clearly indicates that any forged documents — if they existed — cannot logically be attributed to individual wrongdoing.
“The players are victims in this matter… it is evident that any possible forged documents were not the result of individual actions,” the statement reads.
FIFPRO also stressed that players have no way of obtaining binding eligibility confirmation directly from FIFA, as the process is not available to individuals under current regulations.
The seven players had completed every official requirement: Submitted personal documents, Appeared before Malaysian authorities, Undertook government oath-taking, Received Malaysian passports, Awaited FAM’s eligibility clearance
Every step, FIFPRO noted, was handled by government bodies or the Football Association of Malaysia — not by the players themselves.
FIFPRO highlighted the severe consequences the ruling now brings: Suspension from their clubs, Immediate halt to career progression, Damaged reputations, Long-term uncertainty over national team futures
All of this, they argue, happened “through no fault of their own.”
FIFPRO concluded the statement by expressing full support for the seven players and confidence that the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will overturn what they describe as a clear injustice.
Credit Photo : Simon Yap/SNE-Photo
