AFC ruled Malaysia lost to Vietnam and Nepal 0-3.

Malaysia - Photo 1.

Illegal naturalized players caused Malaysia to lose the match - Photo: FAM

Malaysian newspaper Stadium Astro reported: "FAM has received a decision from the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee at its meeting on March 17 regarding the use of ineligible players."

The meeting was chaired by the Chairman of the AFC's Disciplinary and Ethics Committee, Mr. Jahangir Baglari.

The meeting concluded that FAM had violated Article 56 of the AFC Code of Discipline and Ethics by using ineligible players in two matches during the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.

Therefore, the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee decided to award Malaysia a 0-3 loss in both matches under Article 25.1 of the Code of Conduct. These were the two matches between Malaysia and Nepal, and Vietnam.

In addition, FAM was fined $50,000 (approximately RM 196,119).

This is considered a relatively lenient penalty for Malaysia, as many experts had previously suggested that the AFC might ban the Malaysian national team from participating in future international tournaments.

FAM stated that they will submit a written request for clarification of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee's decision before considering further steps regarding this matter.

Thus, the case of Malaysia illegally naturalizing 7 players has finally come to an end. With forfeited two matches against Nepal and Vietnam, Malaysia's dream of qualifying for the 2027 Asian Cup has also ended.

With 3 points added and 6 points deducted for Malaysia, the Vietnamese team has secured a ticket to the 2027 Asian Cup finals regardless of the result of the rematch against Malaysia on March 31st.

Developments in the FIFA sanctions against Malaysia related to 7 players who illegally naturalized themselves:

- September 26, 2025: FIFA fined FAM 350,000 Swiss francs (approximately RM 1.8 million). Seven players who were naturalized illegally were each fined 2,000 Swiss francs and banned from all football activities for 12 months.

- October 6, 2025: FIFA published a 19-page document detailing the legal basis, investigation process, and reasons for sanctioning FAM.

- October 15, 2025: Malaysia files an appeal.

- November 3, 2025: The FIFA Appeals Committee rejected the appeal.

- In December 2025, FIFA will award Malaysia a 0-3 defeat in friendly matches against Cape Verde, Singapore, and Palestine.

- January 2026: Malaysia appeals the case to CAS. CAS subsequently suspends the 12-month ban on seven Malaysian players.

- March 5, 2026: CAS rejects most appeals, upholding FIFA's decision.

- March 17, 2026: AFC rules Malaysia lost to Vietnam and Nepal 0-3, fining them $50,000.

HOAI DU

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/afc-xu-malaysia-thua-viet-nam-va-nepal-0-3-2026031713563259.htm