Southeast Asian fans erupted simultaneously when AFC ruled a loss against the Vietnamese representative, mentioning Malaysia

The 0-3 forfeit penalty against CAHN sparked heated debates on Southeast Asian social media, with many supporters questioning AFC’s consistency.

The Asian Football Confederation’s decision regarding awarding a 0-3 forfeit loss to Hanoi Police against Tampines Rovers in the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26 knockout stage triggered a strong wave of reactions across regional forums. From a 4-0 victory at Hang Day Stadium, the Vietnamese team suddenly faced difficulties due to a player registration error.

According to the official announcement, CAHN fielded two ineligible players: Rogerio Alves Dos Santos and Stefan Mauk. As a result, the team was handed a 0-3 loss, fined 2,000 USD, and had 50% of their tournament participation funding cut, amounting to 40,000 USD. If this amount has already been disbursed, the club must reimburse it within 30 days.

Immediately after the penalty was announced, Southeast Asian online communities erupted. Many fans believed CAHN brought the trouble upon themselves.

However, the controversy did not end there. Many supporters shifted focus to compare it with the case involving Malaysia’s naturalized players. A Singaporean fan questioned: “AFC quickly penalizes CAHN, but the Malaysia case has dragged on endlessly?” Meanwhile, a Vietnamese comment stated: “If AFC is this strict, they should also handle Malaysia decisively and fairly.”

Some opinions even expressed doubts about the consistency of governance: “Clear cases get immediate action, while complicated ones drag on year after year.” Another fan commented: “Regional football needs transparency; big and small issues cannot be handled differently.”

From AFC’s side, the organization stated it is still awaiting the final ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport concerning the Malaysia case. Previously, FIFA imposed a 12-month ban on seven players, but this decision has been temporarily suspended pending the trial. This has further fueled regional impatience.

Despite ongoing debates about fairness, the immediate reality for CAHN is immense pressure in the return leg. From a strong lead, the Vietnamese representative must now fight from scratch if they want to advance. This penalty is not only a professional and financial loss but also a clear warning about careful personnel management in continental competitions.