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[QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 62880, member: 636"]
Malaysia defended citizenship approvals for seven naturalized soccer players amid international sanctions. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the National Registration Department followed constitutional requirements under Article 19(1) when processing applications. Officials reviewed documentation before granting status to the athletes who competed in Asian Cup qualifying matches.

FIFA fined the Football Association of Malaysia 1.8 million ringgit after finding forged eligibility documents for the June match against Vietnam. Each player received a 10,560 ringgit penalty and a 12-month suspension from competition. The sanctioned athletes are Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomas Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal Iraurgui and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano.

The ministry maintained proper procedures that governed all citizenship decisions. Director-General Datuk Badrul Hisham Alias examined every application step before approval. Saifuddin stated that adherence to federal law eliminates concerns about the naturalization process for heritage program participants.
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