AFC awards Vietnam 3-0 win against Malaysia, sanctions forfeit over ineligible players

The AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee said on Tuesday that Malaysia used players who did not meet eligibility requirements in matches they had originally won 4-0 against Vietnam and 2-0 against Nepal in the third round of qualifying for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.

Both results were overturned to 3-0 defeats, and the Football Association of Malaysia was fined US$50,000, the AFC said following a meeting chaired by committee head Jahangir Baglari.

The decision reshapes Group F standings, with Vietnam moving to the top of the table and securing qualification for the 2027 Asian Cup finals in Saudi Arabia, while Malaysia drop to second place after losing six points.

FAM said it would seek a written explanation from the AFC before considering further steps, including a possible appeal to the confederation’s appeals body and the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The case stems from a ruling by FIFA in 2025 that Malaysia had submitted falsified or invalid civil documents in the eligibility registration of seven naturalized players, breaching disciplinary regulations.

FIFA imposed a fine of 350,000 Swiss francs ($444,288) on FAM and handed 12-month bans to the players, along with additional financial penalties.

It also ordered 3-0 forfeits in several international friendlies involving Malaysia.

Malaysia appealed the sanctions, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected most of the appeals after a hearing in February, upholding the findings while allowing limited relief for the players to train with their clubs.

The AFC said the sanctions apply to the ongoing qualifying competition, where only group winners advance to the Asian Cup finals.