According to a report by sports portal Fourfourtwo, Khairul was barred from leaving the country by the Immigration Department, preventing him from flying to Australia on June 11 for a match against Papua New Guinea.

This was confirmed by Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) General-Secretary Hamidin Amin, who said Khairul did not travel with the squad due to the barring.

“He had to stay back and settle the income tax arrears that prevented him from leaving Malaysia.

“He told us he would sort things out and join us for the remainder of the matches.”

Khairul’s absence from the match in Port Moresby did not go unnoticed as he was spotted instead in Kota Bharu.

The national team had attempted to keep things under wraps by refusing to comment whenever asked of the matter, the portal reported.

The 27-year-old’s absence also saw the team taking a beating from Papua New Guinea who won the match 2-0.

Johor Darul Ta’zim’s (JDT) Izham Tarmizi Roslan and Kedah’s Farhan Abu Bakar took over as goalkeeper in the match instead.

Hamidin, in response to this, said national players would be screened from now on the moment they were called for training,

He also reminded them of their responsibility to ensure they adhered to the country’s laws.

“At the same time, FAM will also take the initiative to check if players called up to the national team are on the no-fly list,” he said.

The Malaysian team will go head to head with New Caledonia this Wednesday, followed by another match with Fiji on June 26 before making their way home.