Malaysian Minister Worried Before the G-Time: What's the Way Out of the Naturalization Scandal Crisis?

Before FIFA announced the results of the appeal on the seven naturalized players, Malaysian Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh affirmed that action would be taken after the verdict - but at the same time stressed that the future of Malaysian football does not depend only on naturalized players.

Tension before receiving FIFA's decision

Malaysian football is facing a moment likened to "G hour", as the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) awaits the results of FIFA's appeal regarding the case of 7 naturalized players - a group of players suspected of using invalid documents to qualify to play for the national team.

According to Malaysia Mail , Minister of Youth and Sports (KBS) Hannah Yeoh said that the agency will coordinate with FAM and the National Sports Commissioner to evaluate and improve the governance and structure of football in the country after the official results are announced.

Minister Hannah Yeoh met with the FIFA President in mid-October in Malaysia.

PHOTO: FBNV

“As I said before, let’s wait for the decision first, then we will act. The national team does not only have these seven naturalised players – there are many other players who need a good enough leadership and management system for Malaysian football to continue to develop,” Ms Yeoh stressed.

Opportunity for talented Malaysian domestic players?

According to her, this is also an issue related to the future of domestic stars like Faisal Halim or Arif Aiman ​​Hanapi – who are the true pride of Malaysian football.

“If we give up, what will their future be? It is not fair,” she said during an inspection of the Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz Sports Complex in Kuala Lumpur, which is being converted into the Sepak Takraw Malaysia Academy.

The two domestic stars that Ms. Yeol mentioned are rare bright spots of Malaysian football during the recent crisis.

Last May, Faisal Halim, the star striker of the Malaysian national team, was attacked with acid by a stranger as he left a shopping mall in Shah Alam (Selangor). He suffered third-degree burns to his face, neck and chest, and had to undergo four reconstructive surgeries and months of treatment. Doctors feared he would never be able to move normally, let alone play professionally.

Footballer Faisal Halim after the acid attack

PHOTO: NGOC LINH

A few months before the accident, Faisal had made fans explode with a historic goal against the South Korean team at the 2024 Asian Cup, defeating Bayern Munich center-back Kim Min-jae and leaving goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo helpless. That goal helped Malaysia draw 3-3 - a result considered a miracle in the country's football.

After the tragedy, when many thought his career was over, Faisal chose to stay quiet and persevere in his recovery every day. His efforts paid off: he returned to Selangor and the national team, scoring in two matches against Laos in the Asian Cup qualifiers last October - a testament to the extraordinary will of a warrior.

Meanwhile, Arif Aiman ​​Hanapi, at the age of 23, is becoming a new symbol of Malaysian football. Amidst the crisis of FAM, Arif still proves his class when he was nominated by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in the top 3 of the 2025 AFC Asian Player of the Year – along with Son Heung-min (South Korea) and Salem Al-Dawsari (Saudi Arabia).

Arif Aiman ​​Hanapi (No. 12) in the match against the Vietnamese team in June 2025

PHOTO: NGOC LINH

Although he did not win the award, being on the shortlist helped Arif put Malaysia back on the map of Asian football after many years of absence from prestigious awards. Fans even considered him the successor of the legendary Datuk Mokhtar Dahari – the great symbol of Malaysian football in the 1970s.

Amidst crisis and loss of faith, the journey of Faisal and Arif shows that true values ​​and human will can still shine through, even as Malaysian football teeters between the line of faith and disappointment.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bo-truong-malaysia-lo-that-ruot-truoc-gio-g-loi-thoat-nao-sau-khung-hoang-be-boi-nhap-tich-185251030100555223.htm