Omotayo Fashola
FIFA has handed Malaysia a severe penalty, awarding three default 3–0 defeats after discovering the team fielded ineligible players in key matches.
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) publicly acknowledged the sanctions in an official statement on Wednesday.
Malaysia’s victories against Palestine and Singapore, as well as their draw with Cape Verde, have been overturned due to the breach of FIFA regulations.
Seven players were found to have submitted falsified ancestry documents, falsely claiming Malaysian heritage to secure national team eligibility. FIFA has placed these players under immediate suspension.
In addition to the match forfeitures, FAM faced a staggering $440,000 fine earlier and must now pay an additional $12,500 penalty.
The controversy erupted after Malaysia’s 4-0 triumph against Vietnam in an Asian Cup qualifier last June, where two of the ineligible players scored. A subsequent FIFA probe uncovered the fraud.
Investigations confirmed that none of the implicated players—Hector Hevel, Jon Irazabal, Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, or Joao Brandao Figueiredo—had legitimate Malaysian ancestry.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has filed an official protest with FIFA, accusing the Democratic Republic of Congo of fielding ineligible players in a 2026 World Cup qualifier.
After defeating the Super Eagles on penalties, DR Congo is now set to compete in the intercontinental play-off final.
