OFFICIAL: CAS sets decision date for 7 naturalized Malaysian players

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has officially confirmed the final deadline to issue a ruling on the appeal filed by the Football Association of Malaysia to FIFA, concerning allegations of falsified naturalization documents for 7 players.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has officially announced it will hold an in-person hearing regarding the dispute between the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and FIFA on February 26, 2026. The hearing will take place at the CAS headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, marking a significant milestone in resolving the high-profile legal dispute attracting widespread attention in Asian football circles.

According to CAS, a total of eight cases will be consolidated for trial in the same session. These include lawsuits from 7 naturalized players—Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Gabriel Palmero, Jon Irazabal, Hector Hevel—and FAM, all directed towards FIFA. The consolidation of these cases highlights the complexity and seriousness of the matter, reflecting CAS’s effort to comprehensively review arguments from multiple parties.

The upcoming hearing is expected to clarify legal issues surrounding player eligibility, status, and contested FIFA regulations. The ruling will not only directly impact FAM and the players involved but may also influence Malaysia’s results in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.

Previously, CAS and FIFA have each confirmed the temporary lifting of the 12-month playing ban against the seven individuals mentioned. However, this decision is provisional, and the suspension could be reinstated if FAM does not receive a final ruling from CAS.

The case began last October when FIFA accused the Malaysian national team of using invalid documents related to 7 naturalized players in two matches during the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers against Nepal and Vietnam. Following an investigation, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee imposed a fine of 2,000 Swiss francs per player, along with a one-year playing ban.

Disagreeing with the decision, FAM filed an appeal to defend its position. However, by November, FIFA maintained its stance and rejected all complaints. In this context, FAM had to escalate the case to CAS aiming to clarify the legality of the naturalization process and protect the national team’s interests.

The CAS ruling is considered highly significant, especially as Malaysia approaches a crucial match against Vietnam in the final round of Group F in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. An unfavorable conclusion could lead the Asian Football Confederation to review the results of the two contested matches, potentially awarding 3-0 losses to Malaysia. This scenario could alter the group standings and provide a substantial advantage to Vietnam’s national team.