XONG: Confirmed timing when Malaysia was ruled to lose 0-3 to Vietnam national team

After FIFA dismissed their appeal, Malaysia is nearly guaranteed to lose 0-3 to the Vietnam national team.

On the evening of November 3rd, FIFA's Dispute Resolution Chamber issued a decision to completely reject the appeal filed by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and seven naturalized players, upholding the strict sanctions previously imposed by FIFA's Disciplinary Committee.

Although the Malaysian team is still permitted to play their remaining matches in the final round of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, they face a very high risk of being handed 0-3 losses in the matches against Nepal and Vietnam due to fielding ineligible players. The final decision on this matter will be made by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) after FAM completes all legal procedures, expected no later than March 31, 2026 to ensure the determination of teams qualifying for the 2027 Asian Cup finals.

With a high likelihood of losing two matches by 0-3 against Vietnam and Nepal, Malaysia is practically out of contention to advance in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. However, they will still complete the two remaining matches against Nepal in November and especially the away game versus Vietnam in March 2026.

After reviewing the case files, evidence, and holding a hearing, FIFA concluded that FAM and the seven players (Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomás Garcés, Rodrigo Julián Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, João Vítor Brandão Figueiredo, Jon Irazábal Iraurgui, and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano) violated Article 22 of FIFA’s Disciplinary Code. The violations relate to forging and falsifying documents to legitimize the eligibility of players for the Malaysian national team.

The sanctions upheld include: FAM fined 350,000 Swiss francs (CHF); each of the seven offending players fined 2,000 CHF and continuing to serve a 12-month suspension from all football-related activities.

FAM and the players received the decision on November 3rd. They have 10 days to request a detailed ruling and 21 days to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).