KUALA LUMPUR — The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has expressed disappointment over the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling on appeals involving seven naturalised players for the national team, describing the outcome as “disappointing and unfair.”
In a statement, FAM said that while it respects CAS’s authority, the sanctions appear disproportionate compared with similar cases.
“The players had no involvement in administrative matters and acted in good faith. We are disappointed that their suspension remains in effect despite partial relief.
“Throughout the proceedings, FAM has accepted responsibility for lapses in oversight. Investigations by Malaysian authorities and FIFA are still ongoing. FAM will continue to provide full cooperation to all relevant authorities,” the statement said.
CAS dismissed FAM’s appeal in full, upholding the 350,000 Swiss Franc (approximately RM1.8 million) fine imposed earlier by FIFA. The players’ appeals were partially upheld, reducing their 12-month suspension to official competitive matches only, rather than all football-related activities.
The full reasoning behind the decision has yet to be released, and FAM said it will review the detailed grounds before making further comments.
The association reiterated that the players were not involved in management or documentation matters. “These are Malaysian citizens who acted in good faith and had no knowledge of administrative oversights,” FAM added.
The ruling remains a setback for the national team, with the players barred from official matches for another eight months. FAM also thanked supporters for their continued backing, saying “the national team remains focused on its objectives and will continue to work hard for Malaysian football.” — March 6, 2026