FIFA hits Malaysia with a 0-3 verdict over forged papers in Asian World Cup qualifiers
17 December 2025
Context
FIFA, the world governing body, announced a strong sanction against one Asian federation on Wednesday, accusing it of manipulation.
FIFA punished Malaysia by declaring three friendlies as 0-3 defeats after a dispute over players’ eligibility in the national federation’s records.
The Football Association of Malaysia said the three home matches were annulled; the results against Cape Verde, Singapore, and Palestine were revoked.
FIFA had already suspended seven Malaysia-born players in September over forged documents claiming Malaysian roots.
Malaysia had previously been fined $440,000 and now faces an additional penalty of $12,500.
The disciplinary committee meeting last Friday decided that Malaysia is a 0-3 loser in the three matches.
FIFA opened the probe after a complaint following Malaysia's 4-0 win over Vietnam in June during Asian Cup qualifiers, where two of the seven players featured.
The investigation showed that Hector Heivel, Jon Erasababal, Gabriel Balbero, Facundo Garcia, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Matocha, or Joao Brandao Vieiro did not have a parent or grandparent born in Malaysia, a condition for eligibility.
The Malaysian federation denied wrongdoing and said it would appeal to CAS, and Malaysia's federation vowed to press the appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in due course.
