AFF clears Malaysia's biggest club of misconduct regarding naturalized players

In a statement released on Tuesday, the AFF concluded that there is no legal basis under its Code of Discipline and Ethics to punish the club or the individuals involved.

The investigation centered on three players, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel, who were previously handed one-year bans for falsifying records to play for the Malaysia national team.

Johor Darul Tazim's starting lineup in their 5-2 victory over Pohang Steelers of South Korea in the final group stage match of the AFC Champions League Elite 2024-2025 was comprised solely of Malaysian nationals at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, Johor City, Malaysia, on Feb. 18, 2025. Photo by JDT

The AFF explained that the lengthy review was necessary to align with international legal conclusions and ensure a fair assessment.

It clarified that JDT did not submit any forged documents during the registration process for the ASEAN Club Championship.

The federation also noted that the trio held legally valid Malaysian citizenship at the time of their club registration, ensuring they did not violate foreign player quota regulations, New Straits Times reported.

Figueiredo, Irazabal, and Hevel were among seven players banned by FIFA for one year starting September 2025 for falsifying documents.

While the players had claimed to have Malaysian ancestry to expedite their eligibility, a FIFA probe discovered these claims were false.

AFF's decision mirrors a recent stance taken by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), which ruled that eligibility penalties related to the national team do not automatically disqualify players from club competitions.

The broader scandal has already significantly impacted the Malaysia national team. FIFA previously banned seven players for 12 months and penalized the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) for violations, a decision later upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

As a result, Malaysia were forced to forfeit 2027 Asian Cup qualifying matches and FIFA friendlies, resulting in 0-3 losses.

Ultimately, the governing bodies have determined that the scope of FIFA's sanctions applies strictly to official national team fixtures.

Meanwhile, club competitions managed by the AFC or AFF prioritize local registration and legal citizenship rather than FIFA’s specific nationality criteria, as long as the players remain eligible at the time of the competition. This means a player could be suspended from the national team but still be eligible to play for their club.

The AFF also reaffirmed its commitment to the integrity of regional football while emphasizing that all decisions must be grounded in current regulatory frameworks.