Malaysia speaks out about the ambiguity in the naturalization issue

TPO - Recently, there have been many sources of information that Malaysia has been naturalizing players against FIFA regulations, even falsifying documents to legalize the naturalization of players from Europe or South America. However, in recent statements, many insiders have denied this.

Malaysian national team left-back Gabriel Palmero has just spoken out. On his personal page, he shared about his grandmother and confirmed that she is a Malaysian citizen. “Yes, my grandmother is from Malaysia. However, my grandmother and I have never visited this country,” the defender, who is playing in the Spanish Second Division, declared.

According to FIFA regulations, players who inherit blood from their grandparents, fathers, and mothers can become naturalized without having to fulfill the requirement of living continuously for 5 years in the host country. With the latest naturalized players of the Tigers such as Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Hilgado... almost all have Malaysian grandparents. They were born and raised in European and South American countries and have never even set foot in Malaysia.

Palmero insists his naturalization was completely legal.

But if we consider the regulations from FIFA, they still fully meet. Sending the same message denying illegal naturalization as Palmero is also the president of the Malaysian Football Federation, Joehari Ayub.

“All these players are thoroughly vetted by FIFA,” the official said. “It is not an agency that you can take lightly. If we were wrong, it would be a serious offence. But the players are certified by FIFA and that is enough for us.”

Dang Lai

Source: https://tienphong.vn/malaysia-len-tieng-ve-nhung-nghi-van-nhap-nhang-trong-van-de-nhap-tich-post1756778.tpo