The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has sanctioned the Malaysian national team after losing 0-3 in their two 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers, which prevented them from qualifying for next year's tournament in Saudi Arabia.
This punishment was given by the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Commission which was released on its official website, Tuesday, that the Football Federation of Malaysia (FAM) had violated Article 56 of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code for fielding ineligible players in the first two matches of the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers Group F.
The two qualifying matches were against Nepal on March 25, 2025, and Vietnam on June 10, 2025. Malaysia won the two matches, which were played at home, with scores of 2-0 and 4-0, respectively.
Malaysia was proven to have fielded illegal players in the two matches, who were claimed to be of Malaysian descent, including Hector Hevel, Imanol Machuca, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Gabriel Palmero.
As a result, Malaysia's two wins were invalidated and instead they were punished with a 0-3 defeat each.
These two defeats have seen Malaysia, who previously led Group F with 15 points, drop to second place with nine points. Conversely, Vietnam, awarded three points, has risen to the top of the standings with 15 points.
