​AFC Sanctions Malaysia Over Controversial Naturalization, Two Wins Voided in 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has officially sanctioned Malaysia following a scandal involving seven improperly naturalized players. After a thorough investigation, the governing body ruled that Malaysia would forfeit two matches in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, resulting in 0-3 walkover losses against Nepal and Vietnam. This decision overturned Malaysia’s previous victories in those games.

Previously, Malaysia had defeated Nepal 2-0 at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on March 25, 2025, and recorded a 4-0 win over Vietnam at Bukit Jalil Stadium on June 10, 2025. Both results were annulled because the seven players in question were found to have no legitimate Malaysian heritage. The players involved were Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Gabriel Palmero, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel.

In addition to the match forfeitures, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) was fined $50,000, roughly IDR 850 million. The sanctions represent both a competitive and financial setback for the federation, compounding the challenges already faced by the national team in the qualifying campaign. The loss of points has significant implications for Malaysia’s standings in the tournament.

FAM has indicated that it intends to appeal the decision, seeking clarification and possibly a reduction of the penalties. The federation plans to submit a formal request to the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee to understand the reasoning behind the sanctions before deciding on further action. The move highlights FAM’s commitment to challenging the ruling while maintaining transparency in the process.

AFC officials emphasized that the Malaysia case differs from the situation involving Timor Leste. In Timor Leste’s case, the infractions were discovered after the tournament had concluded, making retrospective penalties impossible. By contrast, Malaysia’s violations were identified while the qualifiers were still ongoing, allowing AFC to impose sanctions immediately. This distinction underscores the timing as a key factor in how disciplinary measures are applied in international competitions.