Malaysia national team train at Bukit Jalil Stadium on June 9, 2025, one day before their 4-0 win against Vietnam in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. Photo by VnExpress/Hai Tu
The FIFA Appeal Committee (FAC) on Monday night dismissed FAM's appeal and upheld the penalties for using falsified documents. FAM faces a fine of 350,000 Swiss francs (US$433,500), while the seven players, Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel, are banned from all football activities for 12 months and were each fined 2,000 francs.
Major newspapers, including Free Malaysia Today, The Star and the New Straits Times, described the ruling as a "heavy blow" and "crushing blow" to FAM. The decision has cast serious doubt on Malaysia's 2027 Asian Cup qualifying campaign, with the risk of points deduction or disqualification now clearer than ever.
According to the New Straits Times, FAM officials admitted to being "shocked" by the result. The newspaper also called the punishment "severe".
"Blow for FAM as FIFA dismisses sanctions appeal," Free Malaysia Today wrote. "As a result, the national team will be docked points in their ongoing 2027 Asian Cup qualifying campaign."
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the Asian Cup organizer, will make the final decision on match results after FAM has finished all legal procedures. Malaysia could face 0-3 defeat punishments for the two matches against Vietnam and Nepal, where the naturalized players were used.
AFC secretary general Windsor John Paul stated the process will not last beyond March 31, 2026, when it announces the list of teams qualified for the 2027 Asian Cup.
Malaysian media outlets also described a heavy atmosphere surrounding the country’s football scene, noting the penalty not only damages FAM's reputation but also directly threatens the national team's progress. All eyes are now on FAM’s Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) appeal to see if the situation can be turned around.
FAM has 10 days to request a detailed report from the FAC, after which it has 21 days to submit a final appeal to CAS. The average processing time for a CAS case is about 5.7 months during the 2019-2024 period.
