In a major development for Malaysian football, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has officially confirmed a 12-month ban for seven heritage players following a scandal involving falsified eligibility documents. The players, who were part of the national Harimau Malaya squad, were found complicit in the fraud that led to their fast-tracked naturalisation. While the CAS partially upheld an appeal to limit the ban to official matches only, the players remain ineligible for the national team for the next year. 

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has acknowledged the ruling and referred the case to its Disciplinary and Ethics Committee to determine Malaysia's status in the upcoming Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers. The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has also been ordered to pay a fine of approximately RM1.8 million (350,000 Swiss francs). This judgment raises serious questions about football governance and the integrity of the naturalisation process in the country. 

FAM has issued a statement thanking fans for their support during this "difficult period" while emphasizing that the national team remains focused on its long-term objectives. The confederation has until March 31, 2026, to complete all legal steps before the AFC proceeds with the official tournament draw for the Asian Cup qualifiers.