Rob Friend says sanctions on seven players remain excessive despite partial appeal win, as focus shifts to upcoming Asian Cup qualifier.
HARIMAU Malaya chief executive officer Rob Friend has voiced his disappointment over the final Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decision involving seven national players, despite a partial mitigation of their sanctions.
Friend stated that the arguments presented during the appeal had provided strong grounds for a different outcome from the world’s highest sports tribunal.
He added that the players had conducted themselves with professionalism and integrity throughout a challenging period that drew significant attention in Malaysian football.
“In our view, the sanctions imposed on the players remain excessive and appear disproportionate when compared with several previous cases involving similar circumstances, where full suspension from football activities was not imposed,” he said in a statement.
Friend described this as an extremely difficult period for the players and their supportive clubs, who had no involvement in the underlying issues.
He said the focus now is to stand firmly behind the players while ensuring the national team remains focused on their upcoming assignment.
“Our responsibility now is to stand firmly behind the players, focus on the upcoming match against Vietnam in the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers and ensure that Malaysian football emerges stronger and more united from this experience,” he added.
The CAS partially upheld the appeals last Thursday, ruling that the seven players’ 12-month suspensions apply only to official matches and not all football-related activities.
The tribunal maintained that the fine of CHF350,000, approximately RM1.8 million, imposed on the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) is justified and remains in force.
The seven players involved are Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Manchuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel.
The issue emerged last September when FIFA found that falsified documents had been used to support the eligibility of the seven foreign-born players who represented Malaysia.
The Sun Malaysia
