Decision looms for FAM, heritage players as CAS hearing begins

KUALA LUMPUR - The next 12 hours will be crucial for seven heritage players and the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).

This follows a new phase in the case involving the players, with proceedings due to take place at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

According to information posted on CAS’s official website, the hearing will be held at the organisation’s headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland at midnight Malaysia time.

Sports law expert Richard Wee said the proceedings could conclude on the same day, but the official decision is expected to be announced within a few days.

"The decision being made on the same day is not necessarily guaranteed, as arbitrators sometimes take time to hear the case first.

"But based on my experience, it may take several days or even weeks,” he told Bernama today.

Meanwhile, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Secretary-General Datuk Seri Windsor Paul John expressed a similar view when contacted.

"From our experience, some decisions are issued within two to three days, while others are released later,” he said.

Last December, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) confirmed it had filed an appeal to CAS regarding FIFA’s sanctions against the association and the seven heritage players of the Harimau Malaya squad.

Earlier in September, FIFA had confirmed that FAM and seven players - Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Manchuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel - were found to have violated Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) relating to document forgery.

Investigations found that FAM had submitted documents believed to be forged to verify the eligibility of the players, allowing them to play when Malaysia defeated Vietnam 4-0 in Group F of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers here last June.

As a result, FAM was fined CHF350,000 (about RM1.8 million) while each player was fined CHF2,000 (around RM11,000) and suspended from all football-related activities for 12 months.CHF is the Swiss franc.

Hopes for reduced sanctions were dashed after the FIFA Appeals Committee on Nov 3 rejected FAM’s appeal and that of the players, upholding the Disciplinary Committee’s decision regarding the serious Article 22 FDC violations.

However, on Jan 27, FAM announced that CAS had granted a stay of execution application submitted by the seven players, allowing them to continue their careers and participate in football-related activities until the final appeal decision is made. - BERNAMA