7 Malaysian naturalized players may face passport cancellation

The Timor Leste case threatens 7 Malaysian players with heavy punishments if CAS confirms FIFA’s ruling.

The controversy surrounding 7 naturalized Malaysian players continues as the possibility of passport revocation is considered a serious outcome. Recent legal analyses indicate a high risk of losing the case at CAS. The consequences extend beyond sports sanctions to legal issues concerning nationality and the validity of personal documents.

On his personal page, respected sports lawyer Nik Erman Nik Roseli stated that the matter goes beyond the football field. He questioned the citizenship granting process for individuals who do not meet the federal constitutional requirements. Notably, he emphasized that there are also criminal implications related to the documents, although the issue has mostly been viewed through a football lens so far.

The most concerning focus is the Timor Leste precedent. Lawyer Nik Erman Nik Roseli commented: “The current case of illegal naturalization in Malaysian football is similar to the previous Timor Leste incident. FIFA easily detected the violations and severely punished Timor Leste football.”

“Timor Leste was also banned by the AFC from the 2023 Asian Cup for forging documents (fake birth certificates), and the passports of 9 involved players were revoked. Therefore, with similar violations, Malaysian football will likely lose at CAS and receive penalties equal to or harsher than those imposed. Additionally, the 7 illegally naturalized players could also have their passports canceled,” the lawyer emphasized.

The CAS hearing is expected on February 26, with a verdict possibly announced in March, close to Malaysia’s match against Vietnam in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. The worst-case scenario is a major disruption to Malaysia’s squad, directly affecting the team’s tactical plans and stability.

At the administrative level, experts warn that superficial reforms will not convince FIFA. The AFC is expected to send a special monitoring group demanding real changes in structure and election procedures. Without genuine reforms, the threat of harsher sanctions still looms over Malaysian football.