Hector Hevel, 29, a former player for ADO Den Haag, has been suspended from soccer for one year by FIFA for using false documents. Hevel, who has played for the Malaysian national team since 2023, is among seven players punished following a qualifying match against Vietnam on June 4, 2023, which Malaysia won 4-0.
The suspension follows a complaint that led FIFA to investigate the players’ nationality and eligibility. The disciplinary committee found that the Malaysian Football Association had submitted manipulated documents. The future eligibility of Hevel and the other players to represent Malaysia is now under review by FIFA.
Hevel played for ADO Den Haag’s youth and first teams from 2005 to 2017, making 11 official appearances for the senior squad. He has also played professionally in Cyprus, Andorra, Spain, China, Portugal, and currently Malaysia. To date, he has participated in two international matches for the Malaysian team.
