Vélez Sarsfield has decided to terminate Imanol Machuca's contract due to the sanction imposed by FIFA stemming from the "Malaysia-gate" scandal. The "Fortín" board chose to activate the termination clause set out in the loan contract to part ways with the former Unión player, as first reported by the outlet Sábado Vélez. This move is directly linked to the punishment imposed by the international body, which bars the winger from returning to official competition until the first days of November 2026. Machuca arrived in Liniers at the beginning of 2025 on loan from Brazilian football, but in September of that same year, he received a 12-month suspension.

After his initial deal expired in December, and with a precautionary measure from CAS still pending, Vélez backed him again and renewed the loan until the end of the season, while keeping the contractual option to end the employment relationship in June. The player's situation had already been dragging along administrative and financial complications within the club. During his spell wearing the "V Azulada" shirt, Imanol Machuca played 28 matches and scored one goal, counting both the games before the suspension and the four matches in which he took part thanks to the CAS appeal.

Despite his situation, Machuca was part of the squad that won the International Super Cup and the Argentine Super Cup. Vélez Sarsfield's decision to terminate his contract reflects the club's need to maintain stability and comply with the regulations imposed by FIFA.