KUALA LUMPUR: Following FAM’s failure in its appeal to FIFA, more woes could be in store for the Argentine-born Malaysia striker Rodrigo Holgado.
His Colombian club, America de Cali, is reportedly in the process of terminating his playing contract with them.
Colombian sports journalist Pipe Sierra wrote on X on Wednesday that the move followed the latest decision by FIFA’s Appeal Committee.
“Club America, through its lawyers, is moving forward with the process to terminate Rodrigo Holgado’s contract following the response from FIFA’s Appeal Committee,” posted Sierra.
The FIFA’s Appeal Committee, on Monday, rejected FAM’s appeal and upheld an earlier ruling by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee. FAM was earlier fined 350,000 Swiss francs (RM1.9 million), while seven national heritage players were suspended for 12 months and fined 2,000 Swiss francs each for document forgery in enabling them to represent Malaysia.
The seven players are Holgado, Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomas Garcas, Imanol Javier Machuca, Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal Iraurgui and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano.
Holgado, who has been with America de Cali since 2024, has scored 18 goals and provided five assists in 77 appearances for them.
Last month, it was reported that Holgado had been granted unpaid leave to travel to Malaysia and personally address the 12-month ban imposed by FIFA.
The 30-year-old scored his debut goal for Malaysia in the 4-0 win over Vietnam in an Asian Cup qualifier in June.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
