World football viewed through the lens of the sanction against FAM: When transparency is compromised

05/11/2025 14:17:00 SportScoop

The FIFA Appeal Committee’s dismissal of the Malaysian Football Association’s (FAM) appeal and the maintenance of the sanction dealt a heavy blow, triggering serious and chain reactions for Malaysian football. Although observers generally agree that the chance to reverse the decision is almost nil, FAM remains committed to pursuing it to the very end.

FIFA’s postponement in announcing the appeal response highlights the case’s complexity. If examined carefully, the main "victims" in this scandal are not necessarily Malaysian football or their 2027 Asian Cup opportunity but rather the players themselves. Whatever direction the case takes in the future, the consequences are already present: the players’ reputations, the transparency of the naturalization trend, and the skepticism about Southeast Asian football’s ability to advance.

There is an unavoidable reality: other documents have been provided that contain evidence differing from what FAM submitted to FIFA to register the players’ eligibility. This means that regardless of whether FAM acted intentionally or not, FIFA had enough grounds to impose the sanction and could not reverse it, as there would be no reason for FIFA to do so if the documents they possessed weren’t sufficiently verified.

Therefore, even if the CAS ruling favors FAM, it will not change the essence of the scandal: Southeast Asian football is facing challenges regarding transparency. Over the past decade, the region has made clear progress in achievements but has also revealed governance gaps.

The Malaysian national team’s brief celebration of naturalized foreign players was quickly overshadowed by the consequences of FIFA’s penalty. Photo: Tuan Pham

From the abnormal surge of international betting syndicates, to age fraud, to falsified player records, the tragedies on the pitch have each damaged the region’s image. In this context, any rise in performance, such as Indonesia earning a World Cup berth, would become an unusual event, easily triggering chaotic movements.

It must also be acknowledged that naturalizing players to boost strength is nothing new; many places still do it without causing harmful effects. Southeast Asian football, however, is different: whether willing or not, it remains classified as a "blind spot." If progress is made on merit, it would be symbolic. Otherwise, it will face scrutiny and suspicion. After all, transparency and fair play are non-negotiable rules in football.

FIFA fully understands this. The strict handling of the FAM case is not simply about punishing Malaysia but about resetting transparency standards for the entire region. Regardless of the final outcome, the FAM-FIFA case will be a costly lesson. If Malaysia’s sanction is upheld, it represents a systemic collapse. But if they prove the error was administrative, not fraudulent, the case could open opportunities for FIFA and AFC to review how player origins are verified in the era of global migration.

Football cannot develop without honesty. The FAM story shows that between the ambition to rise and the limits of sports ethics, even a small misstep can cause the entire football community to suffer significant consequences.

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