According to Malaysia’s New Straits Times, the AFC firmly rejected speculation that Malaysia’s wins - 2-0 over Nepal and 4-0 over Vietnam in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers - had been annulled due to the ongoing investigation into the forged documents of seven naturalized players.

AFC’s official response

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has officially addressed the growing rumors surrounding Malaysia’s alleged sanctions, denying claims that the national team was handed 0-3 defeats to Nepal and Vietnam or banned from competition until 2031.

AFC Secretary General Datuk Seri Windsor Paul clarified that any disciplinary decision involving Malaysia will only be made after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rules on the appeal filed by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).

“The reports circulating online are inaccurate,” Windsor Paul said.

“If AFC were to make a decision, I would be the one to announce it. Therefore, all the rumors on social media are pure speculation.

We are awaiting the CAS verdict, and AFC will strictly follow due process, issuing conclusions only after receiving the final ruling.”

The New Straits Times reported that the false claims originated from a neighboring country, later identified as Indonesia’s Seasia Goal portal, which cited an unnamed source allegedly close to AFC.

That report falsely stated that Malaysia would lose both matches 0-3 and face a six-year suspension from all AFC tournaments until 2031.

Malaysia’s legal troubles continue

Malaysia has already been penalized by FIFA for falsifying citizenship papers of seven naturalized players, triggering both financial and sporting sanctions.

Those seven players have seen their market values drop to zero, while FIFA continues separate investigations.

The FAM has also submitted related documents to Malaysian police for a criminal probe to identify who was directly responsible for forging the paperwork.

Within Malaysia, public opinion remains grim. Many believe it is only a matter of time before AFC’s ruling arrives, possibly as early as March 2026, ahead of the final Asian Cup qualification matches.

Football fans and analysts in Malaysia have called on FAM to face the issue transparently - to admit mistakes, rebuild credibility, and restore trust in the national football system.

Lam Hoang