Malaysia advised to stop appealing against FIFA sanctions

Center-back Facundo Garces (C), one of seven naturalized players sanctioned by FIFA, warms up at Bukit Jalil Stadium, Malaysia on June 9, 2025, before the match against Vietnam in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. Photo by VnExpress/Hai Tu

The advice comes after the FIFA Appeal Committee (FAC) rejected FAM's first appeal on Monday night and upheld sanctions against it for using falsified documents of seven naturalized players.

FAM officials affirmed they would take the case to CAS as a final legal attempt to turn it around.

However, football expert Datuk Pekan Ramli called this an unwise move in a clear case, as FAM "has already lost 0-2 to FIFA."

"It looks like we're trying to blame others. There's no need for more drama. How long do we want to drag this case?" Pekan Ramli told the New Straits Times. "If there's a public poll, I think most people would say it's a waste. The chances of FAM winning at CAS are slim."

Ramli called on those involved to admit their mistakes instead of bringing this culture of denial into the sport and take responsibility.

"Everyone involved must take responsibility. Who started this project? There were reports of agents bringing in these players - were they really bold enough to falsify documents?" he added.

Former national team stars shared the same view. Safee Sali, a 2010 AFF Cup winner, told The Star that FAM should just accept the verdict.

"We must stand with the national team. We cannot go down because of this," Sali said. To fight FIFA at CAS might not work. We should accept our mistakes and learn from it."

Another Malaysian football legend, James Wong, pointed to the financial burden of a continued legal battle.

"It’s going to cost money - whose money? What are we trying to prove? Sometimes we just have to take the bitter pill and swallow it," he told The Star.

Both former players urged FAM to use this setback as an opportunity to rebuild the football system correctly, warning that there are "no shortcuts" to success.

The legal battle started from FIFA's original ruling, which concluded that FAM had used falsified documents to naturalize players. The association was fined 350,000 Swiss francs ($432,000) and the seven players involved were fined 2,000 Swiss francs and banned from all football activities for 12 months starting from Sept. 26.

Malaysian football fans also expressed frustration with the scandal, with many criticizing FAM's intention to continue the lawsuit.

"What's next, DNA testing of the players' grandparents?" one user wrote.

Another fan wrote: "Don't waste your money and time on appealing. Keep moving forward. Who knows, maybe our next chapter will be better."

FAM will have 10 days to submit a petition to FAC for a detailed appeal report, and then 21 days to submit a lawsuit to CAS.