Nepal ask FIFA to overturn Malaysia defeat

Nepal has filed an appeal to FIFA seeking to overturn their 2–0 defeat to Malaysia in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers held in March, claiming that Malaysia fielded an ineligible player during the match.

The development follows last month’s decision by FIFA to ban seven Malaysian foreign-born players for a year and fine the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) $440,000 for allegedly submitting forged ancestry documents to make the players eligible to represent the country.

One of the suspended players, Hector Hevel, scored Malaysia’s opening goal in the match, which took place in Johor, Malaysia.

“We have reached out regarding an ineligible player in the match. Thus, the result has to be overturned,” said Indra Man Tuladhar, CEO of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), in a statement to AFP.

FIFA accused FAM of providing doctored or false documentation claiming that the seven players had Malaysian ancestry. According to FIFA’s investigation, none of the players had a parent or grandparent born in Malaysia, disqualifying them from representing the Southeast Asian nation under international eligibility rules.

FAM has denied any deliberate wrongdoing, insisting that it did not knowingly breach FIFA regulations.

The seven banned players also featured in Malaysia’s 4–0 Asian Cup qualifying win over Vietnam in June, raising further questions about Malaysia’s qualification record.

In the current Group F standings, Malaysia leads with 12 points, followed by Vietnam with nine points, Laos with three points, and Nepal sitting at the bottom with no points from four games.

Nepal’s appeal could potentially reshape the group standings if FIFA rules in their favour, marking a major test of enforcement around nationality and player eligibility in Asian football.