Remember those seven footballers who got caught playing for Malaysia with dodgy documents? Well, they've got some good news. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) just reduced their punishments on Thursday.
The players will still serve a 12-month ban, but here's the twist - they can only be suspended from official matches. That means they're free to train with their clubs during the ban. It's a huge difference from the original punishment FIFA handed down back in September.
So what exactly happened here? These seven players used falsified naturalisation documents to play for Malaysia in an Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam. That's a big no-no in football, and FIFA came down hard on them initially.
The Players Involved
The list includes some notable names from various clubs. Deportivo Alaves' Facundo Garces is probably the most recognizable, playing in Spain's La Liga. Gabriel Arrocha suits up for Unionistas de Salamanca, while Rodrigo Holgado plays for America de Cali.
Imanol Machuca represents Velez Sarsfield, and three players - Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel - all play for Malaysian club Johor Darul Ta'zim. All seven were initially banned from any football-related activities for 12 months.
What CAS Decided
CAS looked at all the evidence and agreed the players were guilty. They found that using fake eligibility documents was clearly proven. The court also said the players were complicit in the fraud - they knew what was going on.
But CAS softened the blow. They ruled that a 12-month match ban was fair and proportionate. However, they decided banning players from training was too harsh. According to Article 22 of FIFA's Disciplinary Code, the suspension should only apply to matches.
This is actually a big win for the players' clubs. Having your players train and stay match-fit during a suspension means they'll be ready to contribute immediately when they return. For betting markets, keep an eye on these clubs once the bans expire - players returning from long absences can sometimes make an immediate impact or need time to regain form.
Malaysia's Football Association wasn't so lucky though. CAS upheld FIFA's massive fine of 350,000 Swiss Francs (about $450,000) against them. That's a hefty price to pay for the eligibility scandal.
