Deportivo Alaves Continues to Back Facundo Garces Amidst FIFA Ban on Malaysia National Team’s Naturalized Players
In a significant development for Malaysian football, FIFA recently rejected the Football Association of Malaysia’s (FAM) appeal on November 3 concerning a naturalization document forgery case. This decision has led to severe repercussions, as FIFA not only imposed fines on FAM but also sanctioned seven naturalized players involved in the scandal. Beyond the financial penalties, these seven players have been suspended from all football activities for a period of 12 months. Among those impacted is Facundo Garces, a prominent naturalized center-back for the Malaysian national team, whose career trajectory now hangs in the balance.
Following FIFA’s staunch rejection of its appeal, FAM has declared its intention to escalate the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), signaling a determined fight against the ruling. The path ahead for Malaysia is certainly challenging, with many viewing a victory against FIFA at CAS as a monumental, almost miraculous, achievement given the complexities of international sports law.
Amidst this controversy, Deportivo Alaves, Facundo Garces’ club, has publicly reiterated its full confidence in the Argentine-born defender. Alfonso Fernandez de Troceniz, the President of Alaves, emphatically stated that the club believes Garces is entirely innocent in the naturalization scandal. In a statement shared with Noticias de Alava, as quoted by SuperBall.id from Dantri.com.vn, Troceniz affirmed, “We still believe in Garces. The club has not made any decision about his future and still believes he is innocent.” This strong declaration is widely seen as a crucial step by Alaves to protect its player, especially after earlier public speculation arose when Garces’ name was temporarily removed from the club’s official website roster, leading to assumptions he had been ‘kicked out’.
Garces, who reportedly joined Alaves in January 2025 (note: original source includes this future date alongside past performance) and has already played 16 matches in the Spanish League, remains an integral part of the team. His last appearance for Alaves was an impressive display during a 1-1 draw against Getafe on September 25. Unlike other players, such as Gabriel Palmero, whose contracts were terminated due to sanctions, Garces’ situation stands as an exception, underscoring Alaves’ firm belief that he is a victim of FAM’s administrative errors rather than a participant in any fraudulent document practices.
Recent reports from Malaysian newspaper Sinar Harian further support this perspective, indicating that the seven naturalized players are indeed victims of FAM’s document fraud. The newspaper highlighted the profound impact of FIFA’s ruling, stating, “FIFA’s punishment not only shocked FAM but also placed the seven naturalized players in a very difficult situation. These players are not only suspended for 12 months but also face an uncertain career future.” Among the most affected are Facundo Garces of Alaves and Imanol Machuca, a key player for Velez Sarsfield (Argentina), both of whom had promising careers abruptly halted.
A year-long suspension will undoubtedly have severe ramifications on these players’ performance, fitness, and international transfer market value. The inability to compete for such an extended period risks causing a significant loss of rhythm, physical condition, and their standing within their respective clubs. While it is widely believed that these seven players may have been unaware they were victims of FAM’s registration and documentation errors, the reality of modern football dictates that every player bears a responsibility to be fully aware of their origins and legal status.
As the football community awaits the next chapter, all hopes now rest on the CAS verdict. Fans worldwide are collectively hoping that the ruling will provide a clear path forward for these players, helping them to regain their lost careers and reputations on the international stage.
Summary
FIFA baru-baru ini menolak banding Asosiasi Sepak Bola Malaysia (FAM) terkait kasus pemalsuan dokumen naturalisasi, yang berakibat denda untuk FAM dan suspensi 12 bulan bagi tujuh pemain naturalisasi, termasuk Facundo Garces. Keputusan ini melarang mereka dari semua aktivitas sepak bola, sangat mempengaruhi karier mereka. FAM berencana untuk membawa masalah ini ke Pengadilan Arbitrase Olahraga (CAS) guna menentang putusan tersebut.
Deportivo Alaves, klub Garces, secara publik menegaskan keyakinan penuh pada dirinya, menyatakan bahwa ia tidak bersalah dan merupakan korban dari kesalahan administrasi FAM. Tidak seperti beberapa pemain lain yang kontraknya diputus, situasi Garces tetap menjadi pengecualian karena kepercayaan kuat dari klubnya. Suspensi selama setahun menimbulkan risiko serius terhadap performa, kebugaran, dan nilai pasar para pemain di masa depan, dengan semua harapan kini tertumpu pada putusan CAS.
