PETALING JAYA: Former Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin expressed disbelief over FIFA’s decision to suspend seven mixed-heritage players who recently represented Malaysia.

In an Instagram statement, Khairy, who is Johor’s youth adviser and a Johor Darul Ta'zim board member, questioned the sudden reversal by FIFA.

He said the players had already received approvals through official channels.

“Strange. FIFA had already approved their eligibility through the proper process. That means the documents were vetted and due diligence was done. Why change their minds now,” said Khairy.

“Who lodged the complaint,” he added on Saturday (Sept 27).

Khairy outlined the five-step process for international player registration.

He said it involves verifying ancestry, confirming citizenship, obtaining a Malaysian passport, submitting documentation to FIFA and receiving FIFA approval.

Despite this, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee imposed sanctions on the Football Association of Malaysia and the seven players for violating Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code on forgery and falsification.

FIFA found that FAM submitted falsified documents during the eligibility process.

They said this allowed Gabriel Palermo, Facundo Garcés, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, João Figueiredo, Jon Irazábal and Hector Hevel to play in Malaysia’s Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam on June 10, 2025.

An investigation launched after a complaint about eligibility concluded with FAM being fined CHF350,000 (RM1,849,812).

Each player was fined CHF2,000 (RM10,570) and handed a 12-month suspension from all football-related activities.