Trending 
Malaysia have been sanctioned by FIFA with three 3-0 defeats after being found to have fielded ineligible players, according to a statement released by the country’s football authorities on Wednesday. The decision marks the latest development in an ongoing scandal that has cast a shadow over the national team.
The Football Association of Malaysia confirmed that two friendly victories against Palestine and Singapore, along with a home draw against Cape Verde earlier this year, have all been annulled and converted into 3-0 defeats. The ruling follows disciplinary action taken by FIFA after concerns were raised over player eligibility.
Seven foreign-born players had already been suspended by world football’s governing body after it emerged that documents claiming Malaysian ancestry had been forged. The association had previously been fined $440,000 and has now received an additional financial penalty of $12,500.
According to the FAM, a FIFA disciplinary committee meeting held on Friday concluded that Malaysia should be deemed to have lost all three matches by a standard 3-0 scoreline. The investigation was triggered after a complaint was lodged following Malaysia’s 4-0 victory over Vietnam in June during an Asian Cup qualifying match, in which two of the suspended players scored.
FIFA’s findings determined that none of the seven players — Hector Hevel, Jon Irazabal, Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca or Joao Brandao Figueiredo — had a parent or grandparent born in Malaysia, a key requirement for eligibility to represent the national team.
The Football Association of Malaysia has rejected accusations of wrongdoing and has stated its intention to challenge the decision by lodging an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
