logo
Malaysia get green light from FIFA to use 5 new heritage players

Malaysia get green light from FIFA to use 5 new heritage players

KUALA LUMPUR: After sceptical rival fans across Southeast Asian urged FIFA to investigate Malaysia for its recruitment of "heritage players", the FA of Malaysia (FAM) announced today that the world body has cleared five foreign-born players to wear Malaysia shirts.
The five naturalised heritage players are Facundo Garces, Imanol Machuca, Jon Irazabal, Joao Figueiredo and Rodrigo Holgado.
This means the five footballers will be able to take the field against Vietnam in a crucial Asian Cup Group F qualifier at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil tonight (9pm kickoff).
FAM, in a social media post today, stated that Garces, Machuca, Irazabal, Figueiredo and Holgado have received Fifa approval,
Malaysia aim to break their 11-year winless run against Vietnam after losing seven times and drawn once in their last eight meetings. Malaysia's last win over Vietnam was at the 2014 AFF Cup.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

FIFA ban on Kelantan club over soon?
FIFA ban on Kelantan club over soon?

New Straits Times

time5 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

FIFA ban on Kelantan club over soon?

KUALA LUMPUR: Kelantan The Real Warriors (KTRW) president Tan Sri Anuar Musa has claimed that the club are close to getting the Fifa transfer ban on them lifted. But he added that the process is far more complex than outsiders may realise. Anuar said today that eight of the nine FIFA cases (salaries not paid to players) against KTRW — inherited from their previous team, Kelantan Darul Naim FC — have been settled. "We are now waiting for Fifa to confirm it in their system. Usually, Fifa takes about five working days to update it." Anuar's comments come amid allegations by former Kelantan striker Mohamad Ghaddar, who is now a player agent. Ghaddar has hit out at Anuar and the club's CEO, Datuk Irwan Rizal Ali Napiah, following a failed transfer deal involving Syrian defender Moaiad Alkhouli. Ghaddar claimed he personally financed Alkhouli's travel to Malaysia, only for the club to go silent after the player passed his medical. Ghaddar's claims have reignited questions over Kelantan's finances and also the Malaysian Football League's decision to still allow them to compete in the 2025-2026 Super League. However, Anuar insists that KTRW are doing everything by the book. "When a sanction is imposed, the release must go through a rather long process. Clubs must be careful and not treat this lightly," he said. "All these aspects must be properly managed. The process of rescuing the club is not as simple as some people may think but we are committed to doing it. "We must also ensure that the International Transfer Certificate for each player is properly completed before registration can happen," he said. Despite Anuar's reassurances, KTRW's name remains on Fifa's player registration ban list. Malaysia currently has 18 complaints at FIFA, more than any other Asian nations, with Kelantan responsible for eight of them. KTRW have been barred from registering new players and can only retain players from last season, including those from their President's Cup squad.

Kelantan TRW to resolve Ghaddar issue professionally
Kelantan TRW to resolve Ghaddar issue professionally

The Sun

time19 hours ago

  • The Sun

Kelantan TRW to resolve Ghaddar issue professionally

KELANTAN The Real Warriors Football Club (Kelantan TRW) will handle the issues raised by former import player Mohamad Ghaddar in accordance with existing regulations. Club president Tan Sri Annuar Musa stated that the management has been advised against responding to the matter on social media to prevent misunderstandings and reputational damage. 'I had advised the management not to engage on social media platforms because not everyone out there understands matters related to rules and regulations, and also because it can tarnish the reputation of certain people,' said Annuar. He emphasized that the club would resolve Ghaddar's concerns through discussions and discretion. Ghaddar had publicly criticized Kelantan TRW's management for failing to finalize the signing of Syrian player Moaiad Alkhouli and for ignoring his messages regarding the issue. Annuar assured that the club would address the matter professionally. In a separate development, Annuar confirmed that all salary arrears cases involving imported players from the previous club, Kelantan Darul Naim (KDN) FC, have been settled with FIFA. 'We had nine cases in total, including one latest case. Everything has been resolved, and we are currently awaiting the FIFA system to update its status,' he said. The club is also preparing to register a new Filipino import player for the upcoming season. - Bernama

Soccer-Sydney hosts first talent camp for Afghan women's refugee team
Soccer-Sydney hosts first talent camp for Afghan women's refugee team

The Star

timea day ago

  • The Star

Soccer-Sydney hosts first talent camp for Afghan women's refugee team

(Reuters) -A group of Afghan refugee players participated in the first of three global talent identification camps in Sydney last month as part of efforts to build a 23-player women's squad for friendly internationals this year, world soccer body FIFA said on Friday. Many players from the women's national team fled the country over fears of persecution after the Taliban took control of the government in 2021 and they have been fighting for their right to play internationally again after being excluded from World Cup qualifying events. The Taliban-controlled Afghan Football Federation has banned women's sports, shattering the dreams of the team which requires recognition by a national federation to compete internationally. The Taliban say they respect women's rights in accordance with their interpretation of Islamic law and local customs and that internal matters should be addressed locally. There was a ray of hope in May, however, after FIFA approved the creation of an Afghan women's refugee team and named Pauline Hamill as coach, with the former Scotland international holding the team's first talent camp from July 23 to 29 in Sydney. "It's great to have the players here," the 53-year-old Hamill told the FIFA website. "Now we have the chance to work with them and try to evaluate their performance, and they can all come together again in an environment that they always wanted to be a part of. "I think it's an incredible project. It's given the players the chance to perform and play together again. I think they'll create memories that they otherwise wouldn't have created, and making memories with your team is really special." FIFA is hopeful that players from the trials can take part in approved friendlies later this year, thereby returning Afghan women's soccer to the international stage. It said it would also provide equipment and help them build connections with local clubs and enable access to counselling, media and social media training as well as identify potential educational pathways and opportunities within the sport. "I am confident that we have taken an important step in the right direction by offering these women the opportunity to play internationally while prioritising their safety and well-being...," FIFA President Gianni Infantino said. "We are proud of this, of having brought to life this pilot project, and our aim is to expand it in the future to include women from other countries as well." Nilab, one of the players at July's camp, said football has helped her a lot. "My goal is not just about me," Nilab said. "It's about all Afghanistan, especially women and girls. This project helps and supports me and teaches us how we can help each other and how to represent Afghanistan." (Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru;Editing by Christian Radnedge)

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store