Southeast Asian media reacts to FIFA's severe penalty on Malaysia for illegal naturalization

Southeast Asian media respond to FIFA's sanction against Malaysia for using unlawfully naturalized players.

The latest disciplinary decision from FIFA against the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and seven naturalized players has sparked a strong reaction across Southeast Asia. This incident is shocking as it not only affects Malaysia but also directly impacts the region's football reputation.

According to FIFA's Disciplinary Committee announcement, FAM and the seven players were penalized for violating Article 22 of FIFA's Disciplinary Code, specifically for forging and falsifying registration documents. This case relates to Malaysia's 4-0 victory over Vietnam in the third round of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers, where all seven naturalized players participated.

Immediately after the sanction was announced, Southeast Asian media collectively voiced their opinions on FIFA's punishment.

Indonesia's Bola newspaper expressed surprise at this news: "Chaos! FIFA punishes the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and seven naturalized Malaysian players for forged documents"

Page Sepakbola Indonesia Fansbook III raised many questions about Malaysia's 4-0 win over Vietnam and AFC's decisions regarding this case: “What will happen to Malaysia's matches in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, including the game against Vietnam? At that time, the score ended 4-0 in favor of Malaysia. It was a crucial match determining the fate of both teams.

At that time, Malaysia fielded the seven aforementioned naturalized players. Currently, the sanction is imposed by FIFA, not AFC, which could trigger a long-lasting domino effect, especially for the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, where two matches have already been played. Can this be overlooked? If so, it would be very unfair to Vietnam.”

In Thailand, the Siam Sport highlighted the severe punishment Malaysia will endure: "BREAKING NEWS! FIFA fines Malaysia 14.3 million Baht and bans seven naturalized players

FIFA fined the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) 350,000 Swiss francs and suspended seven naturalized players for 12 months after discovering they used forged documents during the 2027 Asian Cup qualifier match against Vietnam."

The sanction against Malaysia will undoubtedly remain a hot topic moving forward. It not only forces FAM to take responsibility but also prompts other regional associations to reassess their football development strategies. Southeast Asia is striving to establish its continental standing, but this incident acts as a "stain" damaging the overall image.

The fierce reaction from fans reveals a reality: achievements may matter, but transparency, fairness, and credibility are the foundations for sustainable football development in the region.