AFC comments on the possibility of forfeiting Malaysia

AFC Secretary General, Mr. Windsor Paul John, confirmed that the organization lacks the jurisdiction to get involved after FIFA dismissed the appeal from the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).

After FIFA officially rejected the appeal from the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), AFC Secretary General Datuk Seri Windsor Paul John clarified the regional body's stance. According to him, AFC currently cannot intervene in the matter, and any further action depends entirely on whether FAM decides to take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

"At this point, AFC does not have the authority to intervene since FIFA has issued its final ruling. If FAM wishes to continue defending their position, they must bring the case before CAS. However, this process will take several months before a conclusion is reached," Mr. Windsor Paul John told Arena Metro.

The AFC leader further revealed that just preparing the documentation to submit to CAS took over a month, and this is only the initial step in a complex legal procedure. "We need to be patient because the matter is not yet resolved. FAM still has many issues to address before CAS delivers its final decision," he added.

The AFC Secretary General emphasized that the organization always respects the procedures of FIFA and CAS, viewing them as the foundation to ensure transparency and fairness in international disputes. "This process allows all parties the opportunity to fully present their evidence and arguments. Only then can a fair decision be made," Mr. Windsor affirmed.

Previously, FAM failed in its attempt to appeal the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee regarding the case of 7 naturalized players found to have used forged documents. FIFA upheld the 12-month suspension for these players, imposed a fine of 2,000 Swiss francs on each, and fined FAM 350,000 Swiss francs (approximately 11.5 billion VND) for violating Article 22 of FIFA’s Disciplinary Code.

The sanctioned players include Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomas Garcas, Rodrigo Julian Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal Iraurgui, and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano.

Currently, AFC states it will continue to closely monitor the situation but insists it cannot intervene until CAS issues its final ruling.

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