According to the AFC, its disciplinary committee officially initiated a disciplinary process last week. The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has been requested to submit a detailed explanation within seven to ten days, following procedures similar to those applied by FIFA in previous eligibility cases.

The world’s football governing body FIFA earlier issued initial sanctions after determining that seven Malaysian naturalized players had irregularities in their eligibility documentation. The players involved were temporarily suspended, while FAM was fined.

However, FIFA does not directly alter the results of matches organised under the AFC competition system. As a result, any potential impact on match results in the Asian Cup 2027 qualifying campaign falls under the jurisdiction of the AFC.

Once FAM submits its explanation, the AFC disciplinary committee will review the case, including the federation’s response, any mitigating circumstances, and relevant documents from FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

AFC General Secretary Windsor John told a press briefing on March 16 the confederation hopes to conclude the case as soon as possible, noting that the investigation has already taken several months.

He also stressed that if FAM believes the sanctions are not appropriate, it has the right to appeal through the AFC’s legal channels or take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The issue has attracted significant attention among regional football fans, particularly because the players in question participated in the Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers, including Malaysia’s 4–0 victory over Vietnam in June 2025.

In recent weeks, some media reports suggested that Malaysia could be handed 0–3 forfeits in matches against Vietnam and Nepal if the use of ineligible players is confirmed.

However, the AFC said it has not verified such claims and has not made any ruling on whether match results will be revised.

This is a serious matter and every detail must be carefully verified before any decision is made, Windsor John said, emphasising that disciplinary measures must strictly comply with existing regulations.

For now, the AFC confirmed that no final disciplinary decision has been issued regarding previously played matches. This means all results, including Malaysia’s 4–0 win over Vietnam, remain valid until an official ruling is announced.

Under AFC and FIFA regulations, fielding ineligible players can lead to various sanctions, ranging from financial penalties and player suspensions to match forfeits with a 0–3 scoreline. The exact punishment will depend on the final findings of the investigation.

With key matches in the Asian Cup 2027 qualifying campaign still ahead, including a potential rematch between Vietnam and Malaysia, the AFC’s final decision could significantly affect the group standings and the race for qualification.

While awaiting the ruling, teams in the group, including Vietnam and Malaysia, continue preparing for their upcoming fixtures according to the official schedule.

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