OFFICIAL: AFC penalizes Malaysia with two 0-3 forfeits, Vietnam secures Asian Cup 2027 qualification

The Malaysian Football Association announced that it has received the forfeit decision from AFC's Disciplinary & Ethics Committee regarding the match against Vietnam in June 2025.

Recently, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) confirmed receiving a decision from the Asian Football Confederation's Disciplinary & Ethics Committee concerning the use of an ineligible player. In a meeting chaired by Jahangir Baglari on March 17, 2026, AFC concluded FAM violated Article 56 by fielding an invalid player in two Asian Cup 2027 qualifying matches: a 2-0 win against Nepal (March 25, 2025) and a 4-0 win against Vietnam (June 10, 2025).

As a consequence, Malaysia is penalized with a 0-3 forfeit in both matches according to Article 25.1. Additionally, FAM is fined USD 50,000. Following this ruling, FAM will submit a written request for a detailed explanation from AFC, then consider next steps, including potential appeals or related legal measures.

"The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has received the decision from the Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) Disciplinary & Ethics Committee, following a meeting held on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, regarding the use of an ineligible player," FAM stated.

"The meeting, chaired by AFC Disciplinary & Ethics Committee Chairman Jahangir Baglari, concluded FAM violated Article 56 of AFC's Disciplinary & Ethics Code by using an invalid player in two Asian Cup 2027 qualifying matches:

Malaysia faced Nepal at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, Iskandar Puteri, Johor on March 25, 2025, the match ended with Malaysia winning 2-0; and

Malaysia faced Vietnam at Bukit Jalil National Stadium on June 10, 2025, the match ended with Malaysia winning 4-0," the Malaysian Football Association said.

"Therefore, AFC's Disciplinary & Ethics Committee decided to award Malaysia a 0-3 forfeit in both matches, based on Article 25.1 of AFC's Disciplinary & Ethics Code. Additionally, FAM is fined USD 50,000 (approximately RM 196,119). FAM will submit a written request for the reasoning behind AFC's decision before considering further steps related to this case," the Malaysian Football Association announced.

Latest standings of Vietnam in Asian Cup 2027 qualifying (Group F)

With Malaysia penalized with forfeits in two matches, Vietnam almost certainly secures qualification for the Asian Cup 2027 finals. Coach Kim Sang Sik's team leads Group F with 15 points after AFC's forfeit ruling. Consequently, Vietnam maintains a perfect winning streak with 5 matches.

Malaysia ranks second in the group with 9 points after forfeiting two matches. Nepal and Laos both have 3 points.

Vietnam will play the return match against Malaysia on March 31 at Thiên Trường Stadium, but given the current gap, that match is now essentially procedural.