FIFA Suspends Seven Malaysian Players Over Forgery
World football governing body, FIFA, has suspended seven Malaysian players following allegations of forgery linked to their eligibility documents, a development that has sent shockwaves through Asian football.
The decision comes after weeks of controversy surrounding Malaysia’s use of naturalised and heritage players in recent international matches.
Reports had circulated that some of the players presented falsified documents claiming Malaysian ancestry to qualify for national team duty under FIFA’s eligibility rules.
In a statement referenced by Punch Newspapers, FIFA confirmed the suspensions, noting that the players were found to have “misrepresented or forged official documents” during the vetting process. The identities of the affected players have not yet been disclosed, but sources suggest they include several who featured in Malaysia’s 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.
The scandal has cast a shadow over Malaysia’s celebrated 4–0 victory over Vietnam earlier this month, a match in which some of the now-suspended players played key roles.
Opponents had immediately raised concerns about the authenticity of the players’ documents, prompting calls for investigations.
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) had previously dismissed the allegations as baseless, insisting all players were cleared under FIFA rules. Friday’s announcement, however, directly contradicts that position and leaves the federation facing potential sanctions, including forfeiture of matches and fines.
Beyond Malaysia, the development raises wider questions about the monitoring of naturalisation processes in global football.
FIFA’s rules allow players to represent a country if they have parents or grandparents from that nation, or if they have lived there for at least five years.
The case is likely to spark tighter scrutiny of eligibility claims across Asia and beyond.
For now, Malaysia faces an uncertain road ahead — not only in terms of the Asian Cup qualification campaign, but also its credibility on the international stage. FIFA is expected to provide further details on the suspensions and possible disciplinary measures in the coming days.
