Overview

• FIFA published written grounds saying documents submitted to prove seven players’ Malaysian ancestry were forged or falsified, calling the conduct a form of cheating.
• Sanctions imposed in late September stand: a CHF350,000 fine for FAM and 12‑month bans plus CHF2,000 fines for each of the seven players.
• FAM disputes the conclusions, denies deliberate wrongdoing, labels discrepancies administrative, and says it will file an immediate appeal within required deadlines.
• FIFA said Malaysia’s National Registration Department did not have original birth records and issued official copies from secondary foreign documents, undermining FAM’s verification process.
• Malaysia will field a changed squad for Asian Cup qualifiers against Laos this week as the AFC reviews the case for possible further action and the Vietnam result remains at risk.