How have Southeast Asian teams been penalized for illegal naturalization?

The incident involving the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) being punished by FIFA for using naturalized players with fake paperwork is shaking Southeast Asian football.

The most common question after FIFA announced the penalty for Malaysia is whether the national team will be disqualified from the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers or even banned from major tournaments.

In fact, this is not the first time Southeast Asia has faced a similar scandal. Previously, in 2015, Timor Leste received a very severe punishment for forging naturalization documents for numerous Brazilian-born players.

During the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, Timor Leste fielded nine Brazilian players registered as naturalized players using fake documents. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and FIFA quickly uncovered the fraud, leading to an unprecedented punishment in the region's football history.

As a result, Timor Leste was handed 0-3 losses in 29 AFC matches and 7 World Cup qualifying games. Moreover, the team was immediately disqualified from the 2018 World Cup qualifiers and faced hefty financial penalties from FIFA. This incident is considered a major disgrace for the nation's football and serves as a warning to other football associations in the region.

Malaysia’s current case shares many similarities. According to FIFA, seven players are accused of using invalid naturalization documents in qualifying matches, including wins over Vietnam and Nepal. If FAM’s appeal is rejected, these match results will be annulled and recorded as 0-3 defeats for Malaysia.

This means the Malaysian Tigers could lose their spot in the 2027 Asian Cup and even face bans from international competitions, similar to the sanctions imposed on Timor Leste in 2015.

Currently, FAM has submitted an appeal and is awaiting FIFA’s final decision. Within the next 10 days, the fate of Malaysian football will be decided. If the appeal fails, it will be a huge shock not only for Malaysian fans but also for Southeast Asian football.

The cases involving Malaysia and previously Timor Leste highlight a worrying reality: several teams in the region are abusing or misusing player naturalization. Instead of developing local football, some associations opt for short-term solutions, disregarding regulations.

If Malaysia receives a severe penalty, it will be the second precedent within less than a decade and a strong warning to all Southeast Asian football associations that transparency and compliance with international rules are essential for advancing on the global stage.