2 Harimau Malaya wins in Asian Cup qualifiers forfeited

2026-03-17 - 07:03

The AFC disciplinary and ethics committee overturned both results to 3-0 defeats due to Malaysia fielding ineligible players. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA: Two of Harimau Malaya’s victories in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers last year have been declared forfeit by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) said the two games were Malaysia’s 2-0 victory over Nepal in March 2025 and 4-0 win over Vietnam in June the same year. The AFC disciplinary and ethics committee overturned both results to 3-0 defeats due to Malaysia fielding ineligible players. FAM was also slapped with a fine of US$50,000 or RM196,119. “The meeting, chaired by committee chairman Jahangir Baglari, found that FAM breached Article 56 of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code by fielding ineligible players. “FAM will file a written application for the committee’s grounds of judgment before deciding on its next step in regards to this matter,” the association said in a statement. FAM and seven naturalised Malaysian footballers were penalised by Fifa after the world football body said FAM had submitted falsified documents to confirm the players’ eligibility before Malaysia’s 2027 Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam. In addition to slapping FAM with a fine of 350,000 Swiss francs (about RM1.8 million), Fifa fined each player 2,000 Swiss francs (about RM10,560). Earlier this month, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) partially upheld an appeal filed by the seven players, reducing their ban from “all football-related activities” to official matches. However, it dismissed FAM’s appeal against the fine of 350,000 Swiss francs, ruling that it was justified and proportionate. The CAS upheld Fifa’s findings that the documents were falsified but also that the players had not acted negligently or with intent. The seven players involved are Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Manchuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel. The controversy led to the resignation of the entire FAM executive committee in an attempt to avert a Fifa suspension, while a police investigation for forgery is ongoing.