Malaysia accepts AFC decision to forfeit match to Vietnam: Indonesia media

FAM has shifted its appeal strategy with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), opting to accept the result of the match against Vietnam, reported Indonesia’s SeAsia news agent.

Previously, FAM had maintained that it was ‘completely innocent’ in its appeal to FIFA.

Now, the association is focusing its appeal on the 12-month ban imposed on seven of its naturalized players by FIFA.

This change in strategy effectively acknowledges that, regardless of whether CAS reduces or modifies FIFA’s sanctions, Malaysia used ineligible players in their matches against Vietnam and Nepal in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.

A few days ago, FIFA announced that Malaysia would forfeit three friendly matches against Cape Verde on May 29, Singapore on September 4, and Palestine on September 8 due to fielding ineligible players.

These decisions were possible because the matches were played during the FIFA International Match Calendar, directly under FIFA’s jurisdiction.

In contrast, Malaysia’s victories over Nepal and Vietnam in the Asian Cup qualifiers fall under the authority of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Malaysia beat Nepal 2-0 in March and Vietnam 4-0 in June in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, with Malaysia fielding ineligible naturalized players during the two games.

Although FIFA issued a final ruling on the Malaysia controversy, it does not have the authority to decide the outcomes of these AFC-governed matches.

The AFC had previously stated that it would only impose penalties after FAM completed its appeal with CAS.

Malaysian media suggested that Malaysia’s forfeiture of the matches against Vietnam and Nepal was ‘only a matter of time.’

Previously, Malaysia’s Minister of Youth and Sports Hannah Yeoh also acknowledged the possibility that the national team could forfeit these two matches with a 0-3 scoreline.

With FAM’s revised CAS appeal strategy, the association has accepted the likelihood of losing these matches.

The AFC is expected to issue its official decision in the near future.