Malaysia decides to involve FIFA in the biggest battle in history

Malaysian media confirm that their football association will pursue the lawsuit against FIFA to the very end despite the intense pressure and risks at CAS.

Malaysian media have unanimously affirmed The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) will take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and pursue it fully, regardless of warnings about the difficulties and serious impact on the image of Malaysian football. Many local experts believe this is a necessary choice, but it comes with numerous risks that FAM cannot overlook.

In an interview with HMetro, Malaysian sports lawyer Hairul Vaiyron Othman described the pressure at CAS clearly, emphasizing that this is not a “gentle hearing” as many might think. He stated that each hearing is always intense, fast-paced, and proactive, turning it into a “arena” that demands meticulous preparation down to the smallest detail for a "historic battle".

According to Hairul, the CAS panel always directly questions witnesses immediately. He described: “When a witness testifies, they immediately ask: ‘If your witness says that, why did this happen?’”. The constant interruptions and demands for deeper explanations ensure that FAM definitely cannot present an uncertain case file.

The lawyer emphasized that arbitrators never accept testimony at face value without thorough scrutiny. He described the hearing as a high-speed debate where every unclear point is eliminated: “The arbitrators will engage directly to fully understand what really happened.”

Regarding strategy, Malaysian media quoted Hairul advising FAM not to bring a “50-50” case to CAS. Instead, he stressed that seeking a reduction in sanctions is a more appropriate approach: “We minimize damage… We need to acknowledge the shortcomings and what should have been done.”

Hairul also warned that the pressure at CAS is enormous because the ruling will directly affect FAM, players, and the entire domestic football ecosystem. He said: “Because when entering CAS, we do not only bring a lawsuit, but also the fate of a nation’s football.”

In the context of FIFA rejecting FAM’s appeal and moving the case to CAS, Malaysian newspapers see the decision to “fight to the end” as a sign of determination but also a reluctant move. Based on the timing of the file release, FAM only has until about December 8th to complete the procedures.

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