CAS Decision: Malaysia Loses in Naturalized Player Case?

There is currently no precise timeline for when the appeal decision will be announced, as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is expected to issue its ruling this week regarding the appeal filed by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and seven naturalized players.

However, sports lawyer Syed Nur Aiman Syed Abdul Hamid believes it is only a matter of time. In reality, the chances of the ruling favoring FAM are extremely slim.

He emphasized that there remains a faint possibility for the seven players involved, such as a reduced penalty or annulment of the fine, but this does not apply to FAM.

This is due to an acknowledgment of the involvement of FAM's administrative department in handling documents alleged to be forged or, more appropriately termed, "administratively adjusted."

"The position of FIFA under Article 22 is very clear. There has been an acknowledgment during the investigation and at the appeal stage, where the players' testimonies were not entirely convincing.

Therefore, whether intentional or not, the players will still be found guilty. That will shatter their hopes for success at CAS.

The chance is very slim, almost 99%, because of that acknowledgment," he said on the Nadi Weekend program.

Previously, Stadium Astro reported that the hearing at CAS concluded last Friday and a tense wait for the final ruling is now underway.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is expected to make its decision this week, but the lack of a specific timeline keeps everyone on edge.

The case between FAM and FIFA has entered its sixth month, since FIFA's Disciplinary Committee (FDC) determined that Malaysia used allegedly forged or invalid civil documents in the registration of seven players, constituting a serious breach of international football regulations. This group includes Joao Figueiredo (originally Brazilian), Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Facundo Garces (Argentina), Jon Irazabal, Gabriel Palmero (Spain), and Hector Hevel (Netherlands).

FAM was fined 350,000 Swiss francs (over 11 billion VND). Each involved player received a 12-month ban and an additional fine of 2,000 francs (65 million VND). Machuca, Holgado, and Palmero were subsequently released by their clubs.

In December 2025, FIFA further ruled that Malaysia forfeited 3-0 in friendly matches against Cape Verde, Singapore, and Palestine due to the use of the aforementioned ineligible naturalized players. These matches fall under FIFA's jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, Malaysia's 2-0 win over Nepal and 4-0 win over Vietnam in 2025 during the final Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers are under the jurisdiction of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Currently, the Confederation maintains its stance of awaiting the outcome of FAM's appeal to CAS before making a final decision.