Imanol Machuca to return to Vélez after Malaysia case | OneFootball

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has ruled in favour of the Argentine players who represented Malaysia, clearing Imanol Machuca to resume playing and return to Vélez.

According to Radiogol.com, the winger has an agreement to join on a one-year loan from Fortaleza, with an obligation to buy if certain undisclosed targets are met. He is due to undergo a medical tomorrow before signing.

Machuca was important for Vélez last year. The Liniers club missed him during his suspension imposed by the disciplinary body, having given head coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto extra attacking options.

Alongside Rodrigo Holgado and Facundo Garcés, and four other players who turned out for the Asian national team, the group had been banned for 12 months and fined 2,000 Swiss francs each over alleged document forgery to represent Malaysia.

They were called up for the match against Vietnam in June 2025, part of the third round of qualifying for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. FIFA also sanctioned the Malaysian federation with three forfeits and a fine of nearly half a million dollars.

Machuca returned to Fortaleza in December after the club dropped to Serie B. Minutes after the favourable ruling he posted an Instagram story in a Vélez shirt, sparking debate among supporters, then deleted it. His comeback has now been confirmed.

Source: Radiogol.com