What should Malaysia do in response to FIFA’s latest ruling?

03/11/2025 23:07:00 PANDATV

The latest ruling by the FIFA Appeal Committee (FAC) has struck a heavy blow to Malaysian football. All appeals submitted by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and the seven naturalized players were dismissed, which means the sanctions for using forged documents are now effective.

Amidst the substantial losses in reputation, financial resources, and player availability, the key question is: what actions must Malaysia take moving forward to navigate through this challenging time?

1. Stay calm and strictly follow legal procedures

According to regulations, FAM has 10 days to request the FAC to provide a detailed report of the ruling, and then 21 additional days to file an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). This represents the final lawful step to protect the interests of the association and the affected players.

However, instead of merely hoping to reverse the decision, FAM must clearly define the purpose of their appeal. If new evidence proves that the naturalized players did not commit fraud or that the errors were administrative, FAM can present these facts to CAS in hopes of reducing the penalties. Conversely, if the falsified documents are indisputable, prolonging the case might only further damage the image of Malaysian football.

If the falsified documents are undeniable, extending the dispute could only worsen the reputation of Malaysian football.

2. Strengthen the organization and conduct a comprehensive review of the naturalization process

One of the main reasons Malaysia fell into crisis was lax management of the player naturalization process. FIFA discovered significant discrepancies between the birth certificates submitted by FAM and the original documents collected by international authorities, revealing that the players’ grandparents were born outside Malaysia. This points to a lack of verification and negligence in legal procedures.

FAM should immediately establish an independent committee to thoroughly review all naturalization files currently under consideration. Simultaneously, the association should develop a strict monitoring mechanism, collaborating with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the national immigration agency to ensure transparency and legality in all player documentation. This is a crucial step to regain trust from FIFA, AFC, and fans alike.

3. Rebuild the national team based on domestic talent

The 12-month suspension of seven naturalized players has caused Malaysia to lose a significant portion of its core squad. However, this also presents an opportunity to refresh the team by focusing on homegrown players and youth development.

FAM should consider investing heavily in academy systems, encouraging clubs in the Malaysia Super League to nurture local talent, and intensify efforts to identify Malaysian-origin players abroad through legitimate channels. Given the personnel setbacks, building the team on a foundation of national identity will foster resilience and long-term stability.

4. Maintain a strong position in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers

Although currently leading the group with 12 points after four matches, Malaysia still faces the risk of forfeiting matches 0-3 if any players are found ineligible. Until AFC issues a final verdict, Coach Kim Pan-gon’s squad must stay focused and avoid psychological distractions.

FAM can work with AFC to clarify the list of eligible players, ensuring upcoming matches comply with regulations. The immediate goal is to preserve the current standing and demonstrate that Malaysian football remains competitive even without the naturalized players.

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