Why doesn't FIFA have the authority to award a 3-0 loss to Malaysia against Vietnam?

Malaysia has officially been handed defeats by FIFA in several friendly matches due to the use of "illegally naturalized" players, yet the result of their win against Vietnam has not been altered.

The decision to penalize Malaysia with losses in three international matches sparked much debate, especially since the 4-0 win over Vietnam in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers remains intact. Many fans wonder why, despite the same violation, the official continental tournament results have not been revised.

The core issue lies in the jurisdictional authority between different football organizations. The three matches Malaysia was penalized by FIFA with losses due to the use of unlawfully naturalized players all fall under FIFA’s international match calendar system, commonly referred to as FIFA Days. These are matches fully governed by FIFA’s regulations, including scheduling and player registration rules.

During FIFA Days, FIFA has the authority to directly verify nationality documents, eligibility to play, and related legal criteria. Upon discovering that Malaysia fielded ineligible players, FIFA can immediately annul the result, award a 0-3 loss, and impose financial penalties on the Football Association of Malaysia.

In contrast, the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers are managed by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Although they follow FIFA’s general regulations, the tournament is not directly run by FIFA. Therefore, FIFA cannot unilaterally impose disciplinary actions on match results organized by the AFC.

According to international football law principles, each organization only has authority over competitions within its jurisdiction. This means whether Malaysia is handed a loss against Vietnam depends entirely on the investigation and disciplinary decisions made by the AFC, not FIFA.

Nevertheless, the penalties issued by FIFA are considered a “very strong legal basis” for the AFC to take action. The clear conclusion about the use of ineligible players sets an important precedent and creates significant pressure from public opinion and regional media.

If the AFC confirms that the violating players also participated in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, Malaysia faces a real risk of being handed 0-3 losses, including the match against Vietnam. The fact that the result has not changed yet does not mean Malaysia has “escaped punishment,” but rather that the AFC has not announced its final ruling.