FIFA Shock FAM : Facundo Garcés’ Malaysian Roots vs Jay Idzes’ Indonesian Roots
FIFA Sanctions Rock Malaysia on September 26, 2025, FIFA officially sanctioned the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and seven players, including Facundo Garcés for using falsified documents to qualify for the Malaysian national team.
Among those players was Facundo Garcés, a naturalized Malaysian defender who previously played for Colón in Argentina before moving to La Liga’s Deportivo Alavés.
This controversy has sparked comparisons with Jay Idzes, the Dutch-born defender who proudly represents Indonesia through his Indonesian heritage, but with a clean and transparent naturalization process.
Who Is Facundo Garcés?
Profile & Career Path
- Full name: Facundo Tomás Garcés
- Born: September 5, 1999, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Height: 1.91 m
- Position: Centre-back
- Clubs: Colón (2017–2024), Deportivo Alavés (2025–present)
- International: Naturalized as Malaysian in June 2025, played 2 matches for Malaysia
Statistics
| Category | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Club appearances | ~126 |
| Club goals | 3 (all with Colón) |
| National team caps | 2 (Malaysia) |
| Goals for Malaysia | 0 |
The FIFA Problem
FIFA found FAM guilty of submitting forged documents in Garcés’ naturalization process. As a result:
- FAM was fined CHF 350,000
- Each player fined CHF 2,000
- Garcés suspended for 12 months from all football activities
This means Garcés cannot play for Alavés or Malaysia during the ban, significantly affecting his career trajectory.
Who Is Jay Idzes?
Profile & Career Path
- Full name: Jay Noah Idzes
- Born: June 2, 2000, Mierlo, Netherlands
- Height: 1.90 m
- Position: Centre-back
- Clubs: FC Eindhoven (2018–2020), Go Ahead Eagles (2020–2023), Venezia (2023–2025), Sassuolo (2025–present)
- International: Officially became Indonesian citizen in December 2023, debuted March 2024 vs Vietnam
Statistics
| Category | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Club appearances | ~202 |
| Club goals | ~6 |
| National team caps | 14 (Indonesia) |
| Goals for Indonesia | 1 (scored on debut vs Vietnam) |
Status in Indonesia
Unlike Garcés, Idzes’ naturalization was transparent and legitimate, supported by his maternal Indonesian lineage. He has quickly become a fan favorite and one of Indonesia’s defensive pillars in international football.
Garcés vs Idzes: Head-to-Head Comparison
| Aspect | Facundo Garcés (Malaysia) | Jay Idzes (Indonesia) |
|---|---|---|
| Birthplace | Argentina | Netherlands |
| Heritage | Naturalized via alleged Malaysian documents | Maternal Indonesian descent (Semarang and Jakarta) |
| Club career | La Liga (Deportivo Alavés) | Serie A (Sassuolo) |
| Club stats | 126 games, 3 goals | 202 games, ~6 goals |
| International career | 2 caps, 0 goals (Malaysia) | 14 caps, 1 goal (Indonesia) |
| FIFA status | Suspended 12 months | Clean, no issues |
| Market value | ~€1.2m | Up to €5m |
The comparison makes it clear: while Garcés is talented, his involvement in the FIFA sanction has tarnished his image. Idzes, meanwhile, has steadily built his career with no controversy and now enjoys a higher market value and credibility.
What This Means for Southeast Asian Football
- Malaysia: Faces embarrassment and setbacks as their naturalization program is under global scrutiny. The FIFA suspension severely impacts squad strength.
- Indonesia: Gains momentum as Jay Idzes continues to shine, boosting Indonesia’s reputation as a rising football nation.
- FIFA’s role: Shows zero tolerance for forged documents, highlighting the importance of transparent player naturalization.
Conclusion
The Garcés vs Idzes saga is more than just a comparison between two defenders — it symbolizes the contrast between controversial shortcuts and legitimate heritage in football naturalization.
For now, Jay Idzes holds the upper hand, both on and off the pitch, as Facundo Garcés sits out his 12-month ban.
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