According to the investigation results released by FIFA in the early morning of October 31, Mr. Carlos Rogelio Fernandez - Garces' grandfather - was confirmed to have been born in Santa Fe, Argentina, not in Penang state (Malaysia) as FAM had confirmed.
Excerpts from the Santa Fe Provincial Civil Registration Office clearly state the address of residence, nationality and birth certificate of the mother - Ms. Sebastiana Justa Fernandez - all of which show Argentina's origin.
This information has completely lost the basis for the argument about Malaysian blood in the Garces family. Previously, FAM cited this connection to prove that the player was eligible to wear the national team jersey through their ancestral bloodline.
The Garces case is part of FIFA's large investigation into the naturalization scandal in Malaysia. Last month, the organization fined the FAM more than $435,000 (equivalent to about VND 10.6 billion) and banned seven players, including Gabriel Palmero, facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holcado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel, from playing for 12 months. The group was accused of forging documents to prove their ancestry is of Malaysian origin to qualify for international competitions.
FIFA said it is still reviewing FAM's appeal and will make a final decision in the near future.
