Ultras Malaya demands the revocation of nationality for seven players involved in naturalization fraud: Joao Figueireido (Brazilian origin), Jon Irazabal, Gabriel Palmero (Spain), Hector Hevel (Netherlands), Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, and Imanol Machuca (Argentina). These players were banned by FIFA for one year, effective from 26/9/2025. Subsequently, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejected Malaysia's appeal, upholding the sanctions.

The use of these players resulted in Malaysia being handed 0-3 defeats by FIFA in three friendly matches. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) also ruled 0-3 losses against Nepal and Vietnam in the final qualification round, leading to Malaysia's failure to qualify for the Asian Cup 2027 finals. Furthermore, the executive board of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) is expected to resign, and the image of Malaysian football has deteriorated.

Ultras Malaya cheering during Malaysia's 4-0 victory over Vietnam, later overturned to a 0-3 loss due to naturalization fraud, in the second leg of Group F, Asian Cup 2027 final qualifiers, at Bukit Jalil Stadium in Malaysia on 10/6/2025. *Photo: U'M 07*

The fan club's two other demands include returning the national team management from its independent status to the FAM and implementing comprehensive reforms across the football ecosystem.

Ultras Malaya issued their three demands in mid-April. On Labor Day, 1/5, the group officially announced the launch of phase one of their boycott campaign against all national team matches. They expect football authorities to meet these demands by 31/8/2026, which marks Malaysia's National Day.

"We want Malaysian football to truly break free from narrow interests, governance failures, and prolonged systemic destruction," a statement from Ultras Malaya read. "If the three demands are not met by the deadline, we will initiate phase two, expanding the boycott to encompass the entire football ecosystem." The group asserts that the campaign is not based on animosity towards the national team or any individual or organization. This struggle aims to foster a football environment that is "clean, honest, fair, and systematic".

The term "Ultras" means "the fanatics". Established in 2007, Ultras Malaya is the most passionate fan club for the Malaysia national team, identified by their primary colors of black and yellow. The group's two slogans are "Until the last rebel" and "Forever Malaysian Tigers". With tens of thousands of loyal members, they are known for their massive in-stadium displays, which have since served as a model for many fan clubs across Southeast Asia.

The deadline set by Ultras Malaya coincides with the June FIFA Days international break, followed by the ASEAN Cup 2026, scheduled from 24/7 to 26/8.

Previously, on 17/3, approximately 70 members of the Selangor FC fan club held a peaceful protest outside the FAM headquarters. This was prompted by the Malaysian Football League (MFL) recognizing the seven players involved in the naturalization fraud as legal Malaysian citizens and not prohibiting them from playing.

In 2017, Ultras Malaya also launched a boycott campaign following the national team's poor performances. At that time, Malaysia recorded five losses and one draw, finishing last in Group B of the Asian Cup 2019 final qualifiers. This included a 1-1 draw and a 0-2 loss against lower-ranked opponent Hong Kong.