Has the Football Association of Malaysia abandoned its appeal and accepted FIFA's penalty?

The Football Association of Malaysia seems to be stepping back from the legal dispute with FIFA while acknowledging the punishment from the body.

Earlier last month, FIFA issued a ruling upholding the sanctions against seven naturalized players of the Malaysian national team as well as the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM). Shortly after, FAM declared that it would fight to the end at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), asserting that both the association and all seven naturalized players are innocent and stand on the side of truth. The federation also emphasized that all seven players are legally Malaysian citizens.

According to regulations, FAM has 21 days from the date FIFA officially rejected the appeal regarding the allegation of falsifying documents for the seven naturalized players.

The newspaper Berita Harian confirmed it sent an email to CAS to update on the latest developments of the case. In response to BH Online in an email dated November 28, CAS communications officer Vanessa Tracey stated they have not received any appeal submissions from FAM.

Currently, FAM has just under a week left before the appeal deadline to CAS closes (expected on December 8). Previously, Malaysia’s team CEO Rob Friend confirmed that FAM had prepared all necessary documents, evidence, and legal team to confront FIFA at CAS.

Malaysian football fans are anxiously awaiting the conclusion of the matter, as the final outcome is likely to directly affect the national team’s points in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, where they currently hold an advantage to secure a spot in the region’s most prestigious tournament.

If FAM does not proceed with the appeal or fails in appeals against FIFA and CAS, the national team will likely face additional sanctions from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

In such a case, Malaysia risks being handed 0-3 losses in two matches against Vietnam and Nepal in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. If this scenario unfolds, the "Malayan Tigers" will be officially eliminated from the race for qualification, thereby handing the ticket to Vietnam’s national team as the sole representative of Group F at the 2027 Asian Cup.

Moreover, Malaysian football could face the threat of being banned by AFC from participating in the next Asian Cup qualifying cycle, putting the national team’s future in a very difficult position.

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