THE fall-out over its seven naturalised/heritage players scandal that has rocked Malaysian football continues unabated – the latest sanctions imposed by world governing body Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) are 3-0 reverses for the Malaysian team in three friendlies.
The three games were against Cape Verde (May 29). Singapore (Sep 4) and Palestine (Sep 8) which will officially be recorded as 3-0 losses for Harimau Malaya. FAM was also slapped with a fine of 10,000 Swiss franc (RM51,414).
Sharing the embarrassing punishment on Facebook, Southeast Asia’s football site Seasia goal revealed that there may be further humiliation on the way as the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will decide the outcome of the Asian Cup qualifying matches against Vietnam and Nepal (Malaysia won the matches 4-0 and 1-0 respectively).
Obviously, in the name of football rivalry, a quick glance on the comment section of the social media post which has fetched 4.9K likes, 882 comments and 261 shares at time of writing indicated that many regional football fans were hopeful for similar if not more severe punishment to be meted out on Harimau Malaya for its folly.
‘Water face drops big time’
Back home, however, many local footie fans have either grown immune or no longer shocked by this scandal, hence seemingly resigned to the fate of lengthy bans for both team and players.
In view of the once mighty Harimau Malaya has been reduced to a badly scripted joke, some commenters have taken on a decidedly gallows sense of humour.
In possibly an alternate universe, one even envisaged Malaysia at a World Cup and came face-to-face with Argentina and Spain. Their players would be confused as to the presence of Argentines and Spanish pros on the Malaysian team sheet.
Taking a pessimistic view of the situation, another predicted that Malaysia will be booted out of the Asian Cup as well.
Choosing to differ were some commenters who believed that Malaysia might just escape AFC sanctions simply because many of its officials are Malaysians and that its headquarters is in Kuala Lumpur.
However, this optimistic outlook was quickly rubbished by other commenters who pointed out that Vietnam and Nepal would kick up an almighty fuss.
Although a complete ban from international football has yet to come to pass, it is not beyond the realms of possibility. Calling it “great news”, one obviously irate Malaysian taxpayer expressed relief that the government will no longer have to fund the national team.
One football fan even joked that perhaps this episode would have everyone rooting for Malaysia as the “underdog” in the Asian Cup qualifying matches given that points deductions are expected.
Another even suggested that Malaysia should not have fielded the ineligible players in the match against Palestine as a show of solidarity.
One punter though queried whether those who placed bets on Malaysia losing those games by 3-0 could now collect their winnings.
Given that transparency and accountability do NOT seem to be forthcoming from those in charge of the local game, some Malaysians – like their regional counterparts – have tried hide their embarrassment behind jokes and humour.
That the saga is not yet over means there will be plenty more punchlines, alas at the expense of Malaysian football. – Dec 18, 2025
Main image credit: BBC; Seasia goal/Facebook
