HOT: AFC to finalize Malaysia case today, Vietnam team wins 3-0?

Malaysian football continues to face significant pressure as AFC prepares to announce investigation results regarding the controversial naturalization document scandal.

Malaysian media reports that the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will release the investigation report on the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) on March 16 at its headquarters. However, local press notes that AFC has not confirmed whether new penalties will be announced in this report, but the possibility of additional sanctions remains a focus of public attention.

According to New Straits Times, many members within Malaysia's football system are expressing concern over FAM potentially facing severe sanctions from FIFA and AFC. This worry stems from the scandal involving 7 naturalized players discovered using fake documents, an incident shaking Malaysian football.

Specifically, New Straits Times writes: “AFC will present the FAM investigation report at FAM headquarters on March 16. FAM members express concern that the Football Association of Malaysia may face severe penalties from FIFA and AFC, regarding the case of 7 Malaysian naturalized players using fake documents.”

Sources from the Malaysian newspaper also indicate these concerns are not unfounded. Previously, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld the penalty imposed by FIFA on FAM and the group of naturalized players. New Straits Times states: “This concern arises from the ruling of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The organization upheld FIFA's penalty on FAM and the 7 naturalized players including Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, Hector Hevel, Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, and Imanol Machuca.”

According to sources, the AFC report is expected not only to address the naturalization document scandal but also to include comprehensive investigation results on FAM's operations over recent times. Additionally, audit results related to Malaysia's football management organization may also be presented in this report.

Currently, FAM has been fined 350,000 CHF (approximately 11.6 billion VND) by FIFA. The seven involved naturalized players each received a 12-month suspension and an additional fine of 2,000 CHF (over 66 million VND). However, Malaysian media warns this may not be the end of the matter as additional disciplinary measures are still under consideration.

New Straits Times emphasizes: “AFC may impose further penalties on relevant parties. Meanwhile, FIFA could still pursue the perpetrators behind this scandal.” Prior to the report's release, President of the Malaysian Malay Footballers Association (MMFA) Firdaus Mohamed stated: “I think FAM members are all hurting after the CAS ruling, but that is the reality we must accept to help FAM mature.”

Mr. Firdaus Mohamed also revealed that MMFA requested FAM to explain what happened in this scandal, but so far has not received any official response. “On MMFA's side, we requested FAM to explain what happened to Malaysian football. However, to date, we have not received any response regarding our request,” he added.

The case is particularly notable because the Malaysian national team used the aforementioned players in two matches against Vietnam (10/6/2025) and Nepal (25/3/2025) during the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. If AFC confirms the violation and awards Malaysia a 0-3 defeat in both matches, the team will lose 6 points. In that scenario, the Vietnamese national team is likely to gain 3 additional points, thereby moving to top the group and potentially officially securing a spot in the 2027 Asian Cup finals.