Why has the Malaysia national team not yet been handed a 0-3 loss against Vietnam?

The 'fake player' scandal shaking the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers: Malaysia heavily penalized, yet the Vietnam national team still awaits true 'justice.'

The match between Malaysia and Vietnam at Bukit Jalil Stadium on June 10, 2025, remains vivid in the memories of Vietnamese football fans. Harimau Malaya (the nickname for Malaysia’s team) secured a convincing 4-0 victory, with impressive goals from naturalized players.

However, just over three months later, the situation reversed when FIFA announced sanctions on September 26, 2025: The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) was fined 350,000 CHF (approximately 10 billion VND), and 7 players were banned from playing for 12 months. The forged document scandal has made that win appear 'tainted' to many, but why does Malaysia still keep the 3 points, and why has the Vietnam team (currently second in Group F with 3 points after beating Indonesia) not been 'reimbursed'?

This question not only frustrates the Vietnamese football community but also highlights the complexity of FIFA’s disciplinary system. Although penalties have been issued, the final decision on the match result remains undecided. Below is FIFA’s sanction process, detailed information on the Malaysia case, and a forecast on the possibility of a '0-3 forfeit' – based on historical precedents and the latest updates.

FIFA’s announcement regarding this case

How does FIFA 'handle' it? From investigation to overturning results – a lengthy procedure

To understand why Malaysia has not yet been 'deducted points' despite the financial penalty, we need to look at FIFA’s 'disciplinary machinery' – a system designed to ensure fairness but often takes a long time due to legal complexities. According to the FIFA Disciplinary Code, using ineligible players is a serious violation that can lead to overturning match results.

The process typically involves the following main steps:

Step 1: Detection and complaint: The case begins with an official complaint from the opponent (such as VFF – Vietnam Football Federation) or FIFA’s own discovery through registration checks. The investigation can take 1-3 months to gather evidence, including nationality documents, residency duration (at least 5 years per FIFA rules), and even DNA tests if necessary. In Malaysia’s case, the initial complaint focused on 5 players, later expanded to 7.

Step 2: Investigation by FIFA Disciplinary Committee: According to Article 22 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, if document forgery and falsification are confirmed, FIFA will hold a hearing. Relevant parties (FAM, VFF, and the players) have the right to defend themselves and present evidence. The investigation usually lasts 1-6 months depending on complexity. In this case, FIFA imposed fines and bans based on forged documents, but the eligibility issue was referred to the Football Tribunal for further review.

Step 3: Decision and enforcement: The decision takes immediate effect, but if it concerns the match result, FIFA may apply Article 19 (on ineligible players), which can lead to a 0-3 forfeit or point deductions. Parties have 10 days to request a detailed written decision and appeal to the FIFA Appeal Committee.

Step 4: Final appeal: If unsatisfied, the case can be taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 21 days, which may take an additional 3-6 months.

This process explains why Malaysia has not been 'forfeited' immediately: the initial punishment focused only on document forgery, while the match result decision is still under review by the Football Tribunal.

The 7 'ghost' players and Malaysia’s 4-0 match: What has FIFA 'exposed'?

The June 10, 2025 match at Bukit Jalil was the climax of the scandal. Malaysia, coached by Kim Pan-gon, dominated Vietnam with goals from South American naturalized players. However, immediately after the match, VFF and others lodged complaints questioning the legitimacy of these players, suspecting they did not meet naturalization criteria (minimum 5 years residency or Malaysian descent).

The investigation lasted over 3 months, and on September 26, 2025, FIFA announced: FAM and 7 players used forged documents to register for matches. The list of 7 players includes: Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomás Garcés, Rodrigo Julián Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, João Vitor Brandão Figueiredo, Jon Irazábal Iraurgui, and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano – mostly Brazilian and Argentine players quickly naturalized. These players directly participated in the 4-0 win, intensifying the severity of the case.