Nepal asks FIFA to overturn defeat to Malaysia in 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers over player bans

Nepal has appealed to FIFA to overturn its 2-0 defeat to Malaysia in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers in March this year, claiming its opponent fielded an ineligible player.

Last month, global governing body FIFA banned seven foreign-born Malaysian players for a year and fined the FA of Malaysia (FAM) $440,000 for submitting forged parentage documents.

One of the seven, Hector Hevel, scored Malaysia’s opening goal in the match played in Johor, Malaysia.

«We have been contacted regarding a player who is not eligible for the match. Therefore, the result should be reversed,» said Indra Man Tuladhar, CEO of All Nepal Football Association. AFP.

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 doing anything wrong.

FIFA said investigations showed that none of the players actually had a parent or grandparent born in the Southeast Asian country.

The seven excluded players had all featured in the 4-0 Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam in June.

Nepal are currently bottom of Group F for Asian Cup qualification, with no points from four matches.

Malaysia is at the top with twelve points, Vietnam is second with nine points and Laos third with three.

Published on October 16, 2025