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FIFA suspended seven Malaysia players for a year over forged documents.
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The FA plans to appeal the ruling.
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Their Asia Cup campaign now hangs in the balance.
FIFA on Friday suspended seven Malaysia national team players for 12 months and fined the country’s football association 350,000 Swiss francs ($440,000) after finding forged documents used for an Asia Cup qualifier.
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The disciplinary committee imposed the punishments after concluding officials had doctored paperwork so the players could take part in Malaysia’s 4-0 win over Vietnam in June.
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FIFA acted after receiving a complaint about the eligibility of several players who featured in the match.
The committee fined each of the seven players 2,000 Swiss francs: Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomas Garces, Rodrigo Julian Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal Iraurgui and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano.
FIFA also banned the seven from any football-related activity for 12 months.
Reacting to the suspensions, – the FAM said it would appeal the decision.
“use all available legal channels and procedures to ensure that the interests of the players and the Malaysian national team are always protected”.
“FAM would like to emphasise that the players involved, and FAM itself, have acted in good faith and with full transparency throughout this process,” – the association said in a statement issued in Kuala Lumpur.
“In fact, FIFA has previously reviewed the qualifications of the players and provided official confirmation that they are eligible to play for Malaysia,” – the FAM said.
Malaysia currently top their 2027 Asia Cup qualifying group with six points from two matches, though the ruling may change the standings.
The ruling may lead to appeals or legal actions that impact match outcomes, and it is expected to result in more stringent paperwork checks throughout the region.
Follow the legal process closely — the appeal could alter the qualifiers and shape governance standards across Asian football.
