Malaysia’s national football team, Harimau Malaya, has suffered a major setback after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) officially annulled two of their victories in the Asian Cup qualifying campaign.
The decision, confirmed by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), sees Malaysia stripped of six crucial points following disciplinary action by the AFC’s Disciplinary and Ethics Committee.
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Matches Overturned, Points Deducted
The two wins — against Nepal and Vietnam — have now been declared 3-0 defeats for Malaysia. The ruling stems from a violation involving the fielding of ineligible players, breaching Article 56 of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code.
In addition to the points deduction, FAM has also been fined USD50,000 (approximately RM196,000).
Qualification Hopes Effectively Over
The six-point deduction delivers a devastating blow to Malaysia’s campaign, effectively ending their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
The issue is linked to a wider controversy surrounding player eligibility, which had previously drawn sanctions from FIFA and was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The fallout has now extended to the continental level, with AFC enforcing its own disciplinary measures.
FAM to Review Decision
FAM has acknowledged the ruling and confirmed it will request detailed grounds from the AFC before deciding on its next course of action.
The development marks another turbulent chapter for Malaysian football, raising serious questions about governance and compliance at the highest level, while dealing a heavy emotional blow to fans who had hoped for a return to Asia’s premier tournament.
