Malaysia 'was aware in advance' that CAS would postpone the ruling on the naturalization case.

Although public opinion expected the verdict to be announced immediately after the hearing, a sports law expert had earlier noted that CAS would find it difficult to issue an immediate decision, and indeed, Malaysia's case has had its result announcement date postponed.

The hearing concerning the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and seven naturalized players at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has concluded, but the final ruling has not been issued as initially expected. The latest development indicates the arbitration panel requires additional time to review the case files, precisely as predicted earlier by Malaysian sports law expert Richard Wee.

According to Bernama, prior to the hearing, Richard Wee had warned that a same-day decision was unlikely. He stated: “A decision on the same day is not always guaranteed, as the arbitrators sometimes need extra time to fully hear the entire case first. Based on my experience, this process can take several days, or even weeks.”

The reality after the hearing unfolded exactly according to this assessment. CAS confirmed that all arguments and evidence from the parties are still being meticulously reviewed to ensure objectivity before a final conclusion is reached. The announcement timing, once rumored to be in the early hours of February 27th, has now been postponed to next week.

Ms. Vanessa Tracey, a communications officer at CAS, stated: “Following today's hearing, the panel will require time for deliberation. I cannot provide an exact timeline for the decision, but the initial ruling (without full reasons) is expected to be announced next week.”

The case has attracted significant attention in Southeast Asian football, originating from sanctions imposed by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) on FAM and the seven naturalized players for violating regulations concerning eligibility documentation. The players received a 12-month suspension and a fine, prompting the Malaysian association to appeal to CAS in an attempt to seek a reduction in the penalties.

While awaiting the final ruling, the players remain permitted to continue their football activities due to a prior provisional stay of execution granted by CAS. This makes the upcoming conclusion a critical turning point, not only for the future of the players but also directly impacting the squad planning of the Malaysian national team in the upcoming period.