KUALA LUMPUR – The market value of seven Harimau Malaya heritage players has plummeted to zero following FIFA sanctions linked to a document falsification scandal, dealing a catastrophic blow to their professional careers.
According to the latest data from the football database Transfermarkt, the valuations of all seven players were completely wiped out following their involvement in the citizenship controversy.
Winger Imanol Machuca was the hardest hit; his previous valuation of €2.5 million (RM11.98 million) has been entirely removed.
Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) striker João Figueiredo also saw his market value of €2 million (RM9.58 million) vanish in a short period.
Facundo Garcés, who was previously valued at €2 million before a decline to €1 million (RM4.79 million), saw his remaining value reduced to zero.
Other significant losses included Jon Irazabal (€600,000 / RM2.87 million), Rodrigo Holgado (€450,000 / RM2.16 million), and JDT midfielder Héctor Hevel (€400,000 / RM1.91 million). Gabriel Palmero, formerly valued at €50,000 (RM239,000), likewise lost his remaining standing.
The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) handed down 12-month suspensions and fined each player RM10,560 after finding them guilty of breaching Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code for falsifying documents to obtain citizenship.
The sanctions have triggered a wave of contract terminations across the globe. Rodrigo Holgado’s contract with América de Cali was terminated immediately, while Gabriel Palmero was released by CD Tenerife.
Similarly, Vélez Sarsfield declined to extend Imanol Machuca’s loan deal, forcing his return to his parent club, Fortaleza EC, in Brazil. Facundo Garcés remains in professional limbo as his club awaits a final legal outcome.
In contrast, the three players currently based in Malaysia—Héctor Hevel, João Figueiredo and Jon Irazabal—reportedly remain on the books at JDT.
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) was not spared, incurring a RM1.8 million fine from FIFA.
The national body is currently pursuing an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in a final bid to overturn the ruling.