If FAM Fails in Appeal to CAS, Malaysia Could Face Harsher Sanctions, Says Hannah Yeoh

（(Kuala Lumpur, Nov 20) Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh stated in Parliament today that if the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) fails in its appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), FIFA may impose heavier fines and stricter sanctions on both FAM and the seven naturalised players involved.

Speaking during her ministry’s wrap-up speech for the 2026 Budget Committee Stage, she said that FIFA has maintained its penalties for FAM and the seven players, but if the CAS appeal fails, CAS may advise FIFA to strengthen the punishment.

“If FAM loses its appeal at CAS, FIFA’s arbitration body will meet to decide the status of the seven naturalised players — specifically whether they will still be eligible to represent Malaysia.”

She added that FAM may continue to file further appeals to CAS, but the matter will eventually be handled by the AFC, which will determine subsequent actions within the Asian Cup qualifiers framework.

If the ruling remains unchanged, the AFC Disciplinary Committee will issue the final decision.

Yeoh revealed that AFC has informed FIFA that a final ruling must be made by March 31, 2026 — the final matchday of the Asian Cup qualifiers.

“If FAM still loses the CAS appeal, under AFC regulations, the affected match results will be voided, and the opponents will automatically be awarded 3 points and 3 goals.”

AFC also reserves the right to impose additional sanctions.

Meanwhile, she said former Chief Justice Tun Mohamed Raus Sharif is reviewing FAM’s internal processes and SOPs regarding the documentation of the seven naturalised players, to ensure similar mistakes do not happen again.

This review follows the recommendations in Paragraph 246 of the FIFA Appeals Committee report.

“I have instructed the Sports Commissioner to cooperate fully to ensure such incidents are not repeated,” she stressed.