The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed that no decision has been made regarding Malaysia's participation status in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.
Therefore, AFC Secretary General Datuk Seri Windsor Paul John dismissed reports from an online news outlet claiming that Malaysia had been penalized by AFC in the same manner as FIFA, due to fielding ineligible players in two previous qualifying matches.
Windsor affirmed that AFC has not taken any action related to deducting points from the Malaysian national team. Image: bharian
"That is not true. We have not made any decision," Windsor responded briefly to BH Sukan.
Previously, Windsor also stressed that AFC has no official conclusion yet and signaled that the organization currently does not intend to impose measures similar to FIFA's at this time.
According to Windsor, AFC will facilitate the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) to address the matter at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) before announcing any further steps.
"Yes, currently we are waiting for CAS's verdict. Since FIFA's decision has been issued, AFC needs time to review it," Windsor told BH Sukan last week.
Earlier, seasiagoal reported that an AFC source confirmed Malaysia would be 100% sanctioned in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.
According to this information, Malaysia would receive the same penalty as FIFA, meaning a 0-3 loss in matches against Nepal and Vietnam.
The article also claimed that this decision has been approved by AFC and is only awaiting CAS's ruling before being officially announced, with Malaysia facing the risk of being banned from the 2027 and 2031 Asian Cups.
Previously, FIFA annulled the results of Malaysia's matches against Cape Verde, Singapore, and Palestine due to the use of ineligible players. Besides voiding the results, Malaysia was also handed 0-3 defeats in all three matches.
Regarding the issue, in an official statement today, 24/12, FAM said the report was submitted to the Petaling Jaya District Police Headquarters, following recommendations from the Independent Investigation Committee (IIC), chaired by former Malaysian Chief Justice Tun Md Raus Sharif, after completing the investigation.