OFFICIAL: CAS upholds penalty against Malaysia, Vietnam wins 3-0 with 99% certainty.

The dispute involving seven naturalized players concludes as the Court of Arbitration for Sport upholds the penalty imposed on the Football Association of Malaysia.

After months of legal dispute, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has issued a ruling regarding the controversial case involving Malaysian football. The body considered appeals against the earlier penalty imposed by FIFA concerning seven players found to have used fraudulent naturalization and eligibility documents. Specifically: CAS REJECTED THE APPEAL BY THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF MALAYSIA (FAM) and partially upheld the appeal of the seven players against FIFA.

According to the CAS statement, "partially upheld the appeal of the seven players against FIFA, concerning penalties for falsifying naturalization and eligibility documents." This is a significant decision after the players and Malaysian football authorities jointly brought the case to the world's highest sports arbitration body.

Specifically, the CAS arbitration panel determined that the violations were established based on evidence and proceedings. However, the body adjusted the scope of the penalty. "The CAS panel decided that the seven players will be suspended for 12 months, but only from official matches, rather than a ban from all football-related activities."

This means the players can still train and participate in club activities during their suspension. Previously, FIFA's penalty suspended them from all football activities. CAS's partial modification of the penalty is seen as a certain concession to the players in this highly controversial case.

Meanwhile, the appeal effort by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) did not yield a positive outcome."Meanwhile, the joint appeal by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) WAS DISMISSED, meaning the fine of 350,000 Swiss francs (CHF) imposed by FIFA on FAM remains upheld." This fine was imposed after FIFA concluded that the association violated regulations regarding the player naturalization process.

Previously, in September 2025, FIFA's disciplinary body determined that FAM and the seven players used falsified documents in the naturalization and international eligibility registration process, despite the players lacking genuine ties to Malaysia. This decision was subsequently upheld by FIFA's appeal committee in November of the same year.

In its submission to CAS, FAM acknowledged the existence of "systemic shortcomings" in the document processing, but argued that direct responsibility did not lie entirely with the players. However, after a hearing in Lausanne, Switzerland, in late February 2026, the CAS panel maintained its position that fraudulent conduct had been established.

According to the decision effective from March 5, 2026, the suspension period for the seven players will be counted from the time of their initial suspension in September 2025. CAS also stated that this is currently a summary ruling for the media, and the full award with legal reasoning will be published at a later date.