The Malaysian FA is appealing against FIFA bans over the eligibility scandal

The Malaysian Football Federation has appealed FIFA’s decision to ban seven national team players over a suitability scandal, a news report said on Wednesday.

The world governing body last month banned the foreign-born players for a year and fined the FA of Malaysia (FAM) $440,000.

FIFA accused FAM of submitting forged or false documents proving that the seven players were of Malaysian descent, making them eligible to represent the country. FAM denied knowingly wrongdoing.

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FIFA said an investigation found that none of the players – who helped Malaysia to a 4-0 defeat by Vietnam in an AFC Asian Cup qualifier in June – actually had a parent or grandparent born in the Southeast Asian country.

«This appeal process is like a second round for us, so we are making better, more thorough and more detailed preparations. It was not done hastily or under pressure,» Yusoff Mahadi, acting president of the FAM, said, according to Bernama news agency.

Yusoff’s comments were made during Malaysia’s 5-1 win over Laos in an Asian Cup qualifier on Tuesday.

FAM insists it acted in good faith following the scandal and said there was a “technical error”.

Published on October 15, 2025