Former Malaysian player 'warns': 'Do not use 7 naturalized players against the Vietnamese national team'

Former player Safee Sali warned the Malaysian national team not to use 7 naturalized players in the crucial Asian Cup qualifier against the Vietnamese national team on March 31, as their eligibility is still subject to an appeal pending a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Safee stated that using these players in the March 31 match at Thien Truong Stadium carries a "very high risk" because if the appeal to CAS fails, Malaysia could be stripped of points from previous matches.

The seven players—Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Gabriel Palmero, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel—are currently playing under a suspended sentence approved in January.

However, the team leading Group F with 15 points risks facing penalties from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) if these players are later found ineligible.

"For safety in the current situation, this is just my personal opinion. I feel they should take a short break. That is my viewpoint," Safee said during a recent event related to his football academy.

"But perhaps the leadership has a different view, I'm not sure. If they decide to use these players, they must be prepared to accept the risk based on any developments or decisions that may occur."

"There is a risk. If they feel it is worth what is at stake, then they must take responsibility for that decision."

The players and the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) were penalized by FIFA last year after being found guilty of violating FIFA Disciplinary Code Article 22 regarding document forgery.

Each player was fined 2,000 Swiss francs (CHF) and given a worldwide 12-month match ban, while FAM was fined 350,000 CHF.

FIFA also annulled the results of three friendly matches in which these players participated, recording them as 0-3 losses, including a 1-1 draw with Cape Verde on May 29, a 2-1 win over Singapore on September 4, and a 1-0 win over Palestine on September 8.

The players and FAM attended a hearing at CAS last Thursday, and a ruling is expected to be issued soon.