KUALA LUMPUR — The much-anticipated Harimau Malaya debut for Dutch footballer Mats Deijl will not materialise, as the Go Ahead Eagles player failed to meet eligibility requirements.
This latest development follows the Football Association of Malaysia’s prediction a fortnight ago that Deijl could represent Malaysia as early as the AFF Cup in December.
However, the national body announced otherwise today after receiving confirmation on the matter from the International Federation of Football Association (FIFA).
According to a statement issued by FAM, 27-year-old Deijl only has Malaysian ancestry through his great-grandparent and not through his grandparents, as stipulated by FIFA’s regulations.
Deijl had previously expressed his interest in representing the Malaysian national team, and FAM was informed that he had Malaysian ancestry.
Since June 27, FAM has been in official contact with the club, agent, and player to discuss his eligibility to represent the Malaysian national team.
Following discussions, the player provided relevant documents concerning his family lineage, showing his connection to Malaysia, including his birth certificate, his father’s, his paternal grandfather’s, and the confirmation of the birth of his great-grandmother (on his father’s side), who is the mother of the player’s grandfather.
Upon review, it was confirmed that the player has Malaysian ancestry through his great-grandmother, who was born in Singapore on June 24, 1893, when Singapore was part of Malaya.
“Referring to Article 8 of the Regulations Governing the Application of FIFA Statutes regarding eligibility to represent a national team, a player may represent a country if they meet one of the following criteria:
“First, the player was born in that country; second, the player’s mother or father was born in that country; third, the player’s grandparents were born in that country; or fourth, the player has resided in that country for more than five years,” read the statement.
To obtain official confirmation of the player’s eligibility, FAM sent a letter to FIFA on September 23, seeking clarification on the status of the player who wished to represent Malaysia through his great-grandmother’s lineage.
FIFA responded two days later, stating: “Unfortunately, the player’s ascendants’ nationalities beyond his grandparents (i.e., the player’s great-grandparents or ulterior ascendants) do not grant the player the possibility to be eligible to represent your association’s representative team(s), as the list set forth in art. 8 par. 1 lit. c) of the RGAS is exhaustive.”
Based on FIFA’s response, FAM confirms that the player is not eligible to represent the Malaysian national team, as his Malaysian ancestry stems from his great-grandmother and not from his grandparents, as required by FIFA regulations.
FAM, however, remains grateful to the player for his interest and enthusiasm in wanting to represent the Malaysian national team, even though it cannot be realised.
FAM also revealed that they have been in contact with several other players, as suggested or mentioned on social media platforms.
However, so far, none have shown positive results, particularly in terms of verifying documents proving that they possess Malaysian ancestry that meets FIFA’s requirements. – October 1, 2024