Possible sanctions include a points deduction for Malaysia’s national team in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers if FAM’s appeal to Fifa fails.
AFC secretary-general Windsor Paul John said the confederation would wait until FAM has exhausted every legal avenue before taking action against Harimau Malaya or local clubs fielding suspended players in the Malaysia League.
He said FAM has until March 31, 2026 — the final matchday of the Asian Cup qualifiers — to complete all appeals.
“AFC must wait until all legal processes are completed. Fifa’s disciplinary committee has issued its decision, and FAM’s next steps are to appeal to the Fifa appeals committee and then the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS),” Windsor told Harian Metro.
He also said Fifa’s Football Tribunal had yet to finalise its ruling on the players’ eligibility.
“The legal process is ongoing. Once AFC receives Fifa’s final decision, we will take appropriate action,” he said.
Windsor said Malaysia, led by Peter Cklamovski, would continue its qualifying campaign, with four Group G matches remaining.
“For now, FAM cannot use the seven suspended players, but Malaysia can continue competing. Once the legal process ends, AFC will act accordingly,” he said.
Malaysia face Laos in Vientiane tomorrow, then play the return leg at Bukit Jalil next Tuesday, followed by matches against Nepal in November and Vietnam in March.
The controversy stems from Harimau Malaya’s Asian Cup 2027 qualifier against Vietnam on June 10 when the seven players – Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel – were fielded.
Fifa’s disciplinary committee said contrary to documents submitted by FAM claiming the players’ grandparents were born in Malaysia, its investigation found original records indicating they were born in Spain, Argentina, Brazil and the Netherlands.
Fifa fined FAM 350,000 Swiss francs (RM1.8 million) and banned the seven players from all football-related activities for 12 months over the matter. Each player was also fined 2,000 francs (RM10,560).