Malaysian media is restless after FIFA awarded a 0-3 loss against their team

The new FIFA penalty has provoked strong reactions from Malaysian media, signaling that football in the country is sinking further into an all-encompassing turmoil.

Immediately after FIFA decided to penalize Malaysia with 0-3 losses in three friendly matches, local media erupted with criticism. The New Straits Times described it as “the latest severe blow” that has caused Malaysian football to “plunge even deeper into crisis”. Many newspapers stated that the credibility of the FAM has been seriously damaged on the international stage.

According to Malaysian media, erasing two wins and a draw from the record is more than just a matter of results. Some opinions emphasized that FIFA has sent “a strong message” to the FAM regarding the management of naturalized players, especially the controversial group of naturalized players throughout the past year.

Major outlets like New Straits Times and The Star jointly analyzed that this punishment reveals systemic mistakes. One article commented that “FAM is paying the price for lax legal documentation,” while also warning that Malaysian football risks facing even stricter scrutiny going forward.

Malaysian media also expressed concern about the direct impact on FIFA rankings. The 0-3 defeats in all three friendlies are likely to cause the national team to drop significantly from their world ranking of 116. A harsh comment stated that “rankings are not just numbers, but also represent image and trust.”

Additionally, the local press focused on the cautious response from the FAM. The federation’s brief statement, affirming it will wait for “full basis from FIFA” was seen as lacking transparency. Some voices argued that the FAM should “provide a clear explanation to the public” instead of remaining silent.

Many Malaysian sports writers view this as an inevitable consequence after prolonged legal disputes. FIFA’s previous heavy sanctions on FAM and suspensions of seven players further fueled public outrage. The media unanimously called for reforms, emphasizing that “without changes, Malaysian football will suffer even greater consequences.”