Malaysia out of Asian Cup race after AFC overturns wins, hands down US$50,000 fine
Malaysia punished for fielding ineligible players; wins over Nepal and Vietnam converted into 3-0 forfeits
Malaysia have been knocked out of contention for the 2027 Asian Cup after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) overturned their qualifying wins over Nepal and Vietnam, saying the national team fielded players who were not eligible to represent the country.
It was the latest and possibly final chapter in a long-running scandal over seven foreign-born players who used forged documents to play for Malaysia’s national team.
“The defendant fielded ineligible players in the relevant AFC Asian Cup 2027 (Qualifiers Final Round) matches,” the AFC said.
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) was also fined US$50,000 to be paid within 30 days.
The FAM said on its website it would request the reasons for the decision from the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee and then consider its next steps.
The ruling on Tuesday converted both matches into 3-0 forfeits for Malaysia, leaving them six points behind Vietnam at the top of Group F and removing any mathematical possibility of advancing.