Commentator Quang Huy: 'Holding our breath for AFC's verdict on Malaysian football'

05/11/2025 10:13:00 GameGladiator

As reported by Sports & Culture, the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber has rejected all appeals from the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and seven naturalized players, while upholding the penalties related to the use of forged documents. Now, the decision on what punishment the Malaysian national team will face in the 2027 ASIAN Cup qualifiers rests with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

* Sports & Culture: Malaysian football could lose a lot due to falsification of naturalization documents after FIFA dismissed all appeals, What are your views on this highly pressing issue?

- Commentator Vu Quang Huy: As expected, FIFA has dismissed all appeals from FAM regarding the falsification of documents for seven naturalized players.

Immediately after FIFA’s official announcement, FAM said they were "very surprised" by the rejection and took the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Once again, FAM’s response and handling angered their fans. We can see that FAM continues to dodge responsibility, using all means and procedures to try to circumvent rules and lessen penalties, despite clear evidence of naturalization fraud.

It is known that AFC will have to wait through a process lasting no less than two months before issuing a final ruling. On November 18, Malaysia will face Nepal, and then their last match against Vietnam will be in March 2026. Therefore, Malaysia will definitely compete fully in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers throughout 2025 before knowing their fate. We await the final punishment, but FIFA and AFC will need significant time to finalize disciplinary decisions against FAM.

* However, Malaysian media worry that the country’s football might face even harsher penalties?

- We cannot rule out the possibility that Malaysia could face severe sanctions, including bans from major tournaments like the 2027 Asian Cup and the 2030 World Cup, which would be a huge shock for Malaysian football.

If additional disciplinary actions are imposed, Malaysian football will suffer not only short-term results but also face long-term risks affecting their competition plans and continental ambitions. The prospect of forfeiting matches or being banned would destabilize their professional trajectory and goals for the 2027 Asian Cup.

Currently, Malaysia awaits the next steps in the appeals process while pressure to reform FAM increases following FIFA’s upheld decision.

* Clearly, this issue not only drags Malaysian football into legal battles but also impacts the national team’s sporting aspects?

- Indeed, there will be sporting consequences for the Malaysian national team. Coach Peter Cklamovski might have to rebuild almost from scratch. The suspended naturalized players are key components, while the local squad lacks depth and experience. Upcoming matches will be a tough test for a team both short on personnel and shaken in confidence.

The impact extends beyond the national team to domestic competitions. The national league risks chaos as many clubs lose key players. Some teams are considering suing FAM for damages, while the transfer market will be affected and sponsors may become cautious. Attendance could decline as fan trust erodes.

No matter the final penalty for Malaysia, the Vietnamese team must still defeat them in the second leg in March 2026. Photo: Tuan Pham

* Thus, FIFA and AFC’s sanctions will bring consequences for Malaysian football?

- Malaysia’s shortcut approach to naturalizing players is now bearing heavy consequences. FIFA’s penalties are not just financial or sporting but also strike a serious blow to Malaysian football’s reputation and credibility, which has been trying to rebuild after years of decline. Upcoming FIFA or AFC sanctions could cause unpredictable damage, potentially destroying the foundations of Malaysian football, from the national league to youth development.

The naturalized foreign players were expected to bring a fresh look to the national team, but before achieving concrete results, they have dragged the entire football system into an unprecedented scandal. The whole football world is watching—from FIFA and AFC to regional national teams observing how Malaysia manages this crisis.

FIFA’s sanctions against FAM are not only a shock to Malaysian football but also a warning to the region about transparency and fairness in competition. With seven naturalized players suspended, Malaysia loses much of its strength and faces the risk of a 0-3 forfeit against Vietnam, opening opportunities for coach Kim Sang Sik’s team and other rivals in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.

* From this, it is clear that the use of naturalized players is always a sensitive and controversial issue in many countries, and Malaysia’s case serves as a warning to Southeast Asian nations?

- Driven by the ambition to close the gap with Asia’s top teams, Malaysia clearly lacked patience to invest in youth development and infrastructure, opting instead for the shortcut of naturalizing players. This is not an unfamiliar strategy, as many regional teams have done so, but the key is transparency and strict adherence to FIFA regulations.

This incident serves as a wake-up call for Malaysia’s strategy of mass naturalization. Instead of building a sustainable local talent pool, they heavily relied on foreign-born players. With this group suspended, Malaysia’s team strength will be severely weakened. A lineup dependent on foreign players will struggle to maintain form when reverting to a local squad that lacks depth and international experience.

* All these "hot" issues concern Malaysian football, but what about Vietnamese football? How should we prepare for the return leg against Malaysia next March?

- It is likely that the naturalization fraud case will take more time before a final outcome. While Malaysia’s fate hangs in the balance facing AFC sanctions, the Vietnamese team should not only wait for the final verdict but also focus on performing well in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. Hopefully, Nguyen Xuan Son will return in the final rounds. In short, Vietnam should forget about external issues and concentrate on their own preparations before facing Malaysia again.

No matter how Malaysia’s naturalization story unfolds, the return leg will be even more intense. We need to prepare solid tactics and perform excellently in that match.

* Thank you very much for the conversation!

On a broader scale, this incident also creates a positive impact for Southeast Asian football. Regional national teams gain more fair competition opportunities, reducing the large disparities caused by Malaysia’s aggressive naturalization policy. At the same time, it reminds football associations to maintain transparency and strictly follow international regulations to avoid severe penalties.

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