KUALA LUMPUR – Harimau Malaya’s off-field troubles have finally hit home, with FIFA sanctions sending the national team tumbling down the world rankings.
Malaysia has dropped five places to 121st in the latest FIFA rankings after the world governing body nullified the results of three international friendlies, costing the team 22.52 ranking points.
FIFA awarded 3-0 victories to Cape Verde, Singapore, and Palestine after ruling that seven suspended players had participated in those matches.
Malaysia had drawn 1-1 with Cape Verde at the KLFA Stadium in Cheras on May 29, beaten Singapore 2-1 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on September 4, and narrowly defeated Palestine 1-0 at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri on September 8.
Speaking to Scoop, Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president Datuk Yusoff Mahadi said the association had no choice but to accept the ranking drop.
“It is something FAM has to accept after the ranking points from those three matches were taken away, with FIFA awarding victories to our opponents,” Yusoff said when contacted.
“What we can do now is look forward and focus on our case at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).” The new ranking places Malaysia just one spot above regional rivals Indonesia, who sit at 122nd.
Meanwhile, Cape Verde climbed one place to 68th, Singapore rose three spots to 148th, and Palestine moved up to 95th. More challenges could be on the horizon for Peter Cklamovski’s side, with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) expected to deduct points from their 2027 Asian Cup qualifying campaign.
Malaysia fielded ineligible players in their 2-0 win over Nepal on 25 March and their 4-0 victory against Vietnam on June 10. Harimau Malaya currently top Group F with 15 points from five matches, with only the group winners qualifying for the 2027 Asian Cup.
Last month, FIFA’s appeal committee outlined the reasons for rejecting an appeal lodged by FAM and the seven players involved. The sanctioned players — Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Hevel — were handed 12-month suspensions and fined 2,000 Swiss francs each.
FAM was earlier fined 350,000 Swiss francs (RM1.8 million). – December 23, 2025