Seven naturalized Malaysian players remain 'missing' amid wave of criticism

The naturalized players of Malaysia continue to stay quiet on social media after CAS kept the 12-month competition suspension in place, amid fierce opposition from supporters.

According to the New Straits Times (NST), the seven naturalized Malaysian players are under the spotlight as they remain silent on social media following the latest ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). In a context where fans persistently demand explanations regarding the naturalization scandal that has shaken the country's football, the involved players have hardly offered any public response.

The affected players include Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, Hector Hevel, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Facundo Garces, and Gabriel Palmero. CAS recently upheld the 12-month playing ban previously imposed by FIFA, after discovering forged documents were used to legitimize these players' international eligibility for the Malaysian national team.

Checking their social media accounts reveals almost no updates related to the new ruling. Most recent posts still only revolve around club-level matches before the scandal erupted. This leads many fans to believe the players are trying to avoid attention during this sensitive period.

Most notably is the case of forward Rodrigo Holgado. Per NST, this Argentine-born player's Instagram account has now been completely deleted, sparking widespread speculation among the fan community. Previously, Holgado had drawn attention when FIFA placed him on the list of suspended players in September 2025.

Holgado is also directly linked to a notable match for Malaysia. He scored on his debut when the national team defeated Vietnam 4-0 in an Asian Cup qualifier. However, after FIFA's sanction was announced, this forward has not appeared in any official matches throughout his suspension period.

The naturalization scandal first erupted in September 2025 when FIFA uncovered the use of falsified documents to prove the players' international eligibility. Besides the one-year playing ban for the seven players, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) was also fined 350,000 Swiss francs. Although FAM and the players appealed to CAS, the latest ruling only partially adjusted but still maintained the ban, while the players' continued silence keeps Malaysian public opinion in an uproar.