CAS rejected the majority of appeals from the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and the seven players concerning FIFA’s disciplinary sanctions on March 5. The court’s only modification was limiting the 12-month ban of the players to official matches, allowing them to continue training with their clubs.
After the ruling, the influential supporter group Ultras Malaya took to social media to voice their frustration. On a Facebook page boasting nearly 140,000 followers, the group posted a screenshot of the CAS decision. They specifically highlighted the section confirming that the falsification of eligibility documents had been established, using the opportunity to aggressively question the transparency of Malaysia’s naturalization process.
The group stated that while authorities wait for further decisions and appeals from FIFA and CAS, the fans demand that the forgery be officially acknowledged and the citizenship of the seven involved players be revoked. They emphasized that this fundamental issue must be resolved before discussing anything else related to the national team.
This stance has garnered over 6,000 interactions on Facebook and X, with many sharing the same sentiment.
Malaysia fans during the 4-0 win against Vietnam in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifying clash on June 10, 2025. Photo by Instagram/@malaysia_nt |
One fan asserted that the Malaysian government must revoke citizenship when players are found using forged documents.
Another comment suggested that the sports governing body needs to address the document forgery immediately, even if it requires a restructuring of national team management.
The scandal dates back to Sept. 26, 2025, when the FIFA Disciplinary Committee determined that FAM submitted invalid or forged documents for foreign-born players Joao Figueiredo, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Facundo Garces, Jon Irazabal, Gabriel Palmero and Hector Hevel.
During the CAS hearing, FAM admitted to “institutional shortcomings” but argued the players had a limited role in providing the documents. The players themselves requested leniency, claiming their actions were not intentional. However, these appeals were dismissed.
“The CAS ruling has once again shaken Malaysian football,” Malaysian newspaper Daily News wrote. “This ruling doesn’t close the case, but a major shock is expected to hit the football scene.”
The publication highlighted that Malaysia’s ambitions for the 2027 Asian Cup are now in danger. Currently leading Group F with 15 points, three ahead of regional rival Vietnam, Malaysia fielded the ineligible players in crucial victories over Nepal and Vietnam in 2025. The CAS ruling makes it highly likely that Malaysia will be hit with 0-3 forfeit losses, potentially stripping them of their top spot and their ticket to the tournament.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed its Disciplinary and Ethics Committee will address the matter swiftly. The confederation aims to finalize the process before the final round of qualifiers on March 31, and certainly before the tournament draw on April 11.
AFC secretary general Windsor Paul John told The Star that resolving the issue efficiently is a top priority, though all established legal timelines must be strictly followed. He also noted that the process could drag on, expressing doubt that FAM or the players will accept the initial AFC disciplinary results without utilizing their right to further appeals, potentially returning to CAS if necessary.
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