FIFA is 'toying' with Malaysia!

Fans and Malaysian media are restless as FIFA remains silent regarding FAM's appeal concerning 7 naturalized players.

FIFA continues to keep Malaysia anxiously waiting by not releasing the appeal decision from the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) about those 7 players. This prolonged silence has led local media to describe it as “FIFA is playing games with Malaysia”while fans have been waiting impatiently for many days.

Previously, lawyer Serge Vittoz, Malaysia’s representative in the case, stated that FIFA’s Appeal Committee was expected to announce an official decision on October 30, 2025. “We were informed today (October 17) that the official ruling would be released by FIFA’s Appeal Committee on October 30, 2025,” he shared during a press conference. He added: “It is highly likely that the information will be sent to the involved parties on the same day or within a few days afterwards.”

This news made Malaysian fans nervously await from the night of October 30. However, when the promised time passed, FIFA still did not publish any announcement on its official website. On October 31, sports newspapers and fans continued to wait in vain. Malaysian social media was flooded with comments ranging from disappointment to frustration, as the waiting felt like an ongoing joke. Major outlets like MakanBola and StadiumAstro also expressed their dismay over the lack of progress.

As of November 1, FIFA has yet to provide any updates. This appeal decision holds special significance because it will determine the fate of the 7 Harimau Malaya-born players and the future direction of Malaysian football. If the result is unfavorable, it is very likely that FAM will escalate the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

FIFA’s silence is making Malaysian public opinion increasingly impatient. Will the world football governing body end this waiting period soon, or will Malaysian fans have to endure being “toyed with” for even longer?