After reviewing the evidence, the CAS panel concluded that the act of forging eligibility documents was established. The 12-month ban is deemed a reasonable and proportionate penalty for the seven players, given their responsibility in the fraud.

However, in accordance with Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the panel ruled that the ban applies only to participation in football matches, not to all football activities. This means players are still permitted to train normally.

Seven naturalized Malaysian players were banned by FIFA for one year.

Previously, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee (FDC) determined that Malaysia used forged or invalid civil registration documents in the registration files for seven players, a serious violation of international football principles. The group includes Joao Figueiredo (Brazilian origin), Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Facundo Garces (Argentinian), Jon Irazabal, Gabriel Palmero (Spanish), and Hector Hevel (Dutch).

As a result, FAM was fined 350,000 Swiss francs (CHF). Each involved player received a 12-month ban and an additional fine of 2,000 CHF. Machuca, Holgado, and Palmero subsequently had their contracts terminated by their respective clubs.

In January, CAS approved an appeal to temporarily suspend the bans FIFA imposed on the seven players. They were immediately registered to play by their clubs, such as Hevel, Irazabal, and Figueiredo at Johor Darul Tazim in Malaysia.

In December, FIFA further sanctioned Malaysia, awarding 0-3 losses in friendly matches against Cape Verde, Singapore, and Palestine. These matches fell under FIFA's jurisdiction, and the naturalized players were deemed ineligible.

Meanwhile, Malaysia's 2-0 victory over Nepal and 4-0 win against Vietnam in 2025, both part of the final qualifiers for the 2027 Asian Cup, are managed by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The AFC maintains its stance of awaiting the outcome of FAM's appeal to CAS before making a final decision regarding these matches. The final qualifier between Vietnam and Malaysia is scheduled for 31/3/2026 at Thien Truong Stadium in Ninh Binh province (formerly Nam Dinh).

Hieu Luong