JDT set to benefit as FIFA bans on fake heritage players expire

Johor Darul Ta zim (JDT) could see four players return to action following the expiration of FIFA's 12-month suspensions over the fake heritage player scandal. Joao Figueiredo, Gabriel Palmero, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel are among seven players cleared to resume football activities. Figueiredo and Irazabal were recently seen with the JDT squad at the airport ahead of their Asian Champions League Elite match against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.

The other suspended players are Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, and Imanol Machuca, who were penalized for falsifying documents about their heritage status. The news was relayed to Malaysian Football League (MFL) clubs on October 30, following FIFA's announcement in September of the original suspensions. FIFA imposed the bans, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) initially stayed their execution in January, after which they were upheld in March with the caveat that they applied only to official matches.

The bans have now been lifted, though the players' eligibility for specific competitions and readiness to return to competitive play are still matters to be determined. Holgado, in particular, has reportedly been linked with a move to Brunei DPMM, who are eager to add the 31-year-old striker to their ranks.