AFC is about to issue a penalty, the Malaysian Football Association Executive Committee hopes not to be suspended.

Most members of the Malaysian Football Association (FAM) hope that the federation will not be suspended by FIFA or the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

According to Chairman Mohd Firdaus Mohamed, this concern stems from the forgery case involving seven national team players, which has not truly concluded despite undergoing proceedings at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

He stated that anxiety is mounting while awaiting the results of AFC's internal investigation into FAM. The report on AFC's audit status, expected to be announced to the media at AFC headquarters tomorrow (March 16), is considered crucial.

However, he also believes that if FAM faces severe penalties, it will impact the development of Malaysian football. Therefore, former FAM Vice President Mohd Firdaus Mohamed hopes for a positive outcome.

"We hope FAM can continue its strategic programs. We are concerned that if suspended, they will not be able to implement any programs.

We want to see positive signals so that programs organized by state football associations (FA) can proceed smoothly.

Regardless, we hope this will be the last time FAM encounters such issues and that similar incidents will not occur in the future."

In another development, Mr. Firdaus said that PBMM, as one of FAM's affiliate members, has also requested an explanation regarding the case but has not received a response yet.

"I am not sure about other affiliate members, but PBMM has asked FAM to explain what is happening.

Up to now, we have not received any results or responses to the questions we sent to FAM.

I think most affiliate members are disappointed with CAS's ruling, but that is the reality we must accept for FAM to mature further," he added.

Previously, the case involving seven players—Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, João Figueiredo, Gabriel Palmero, Jon Irazabal, and Héctor Hevel—gained significant attention after being brought to CAS regarding FIFA's disciplinary sanctions.

According to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee's conclusion last September, these seven players were found to have forged birth certificates to play for the Malaysian national team in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers and some international friendly matches.

Consequently, they were suspended for 12 months and fined, while FAM was also penalized for technical errors.

Tomorrow, AFC's special task force is expected to announce the results of its internal investigation into FAM and propose measures to improve the governance of Malaysia's football governing body.