Malaysia, 9 March 2026 – AFC General Secretary Datuk Seri Windsor Paul has ruled out the possibility of canceling the upcoming match between Vietnam and Malaysia at Thien Truong Stadium on March 31, while also revealing that the Asian Football Confederation has begun reviewing Malaysia’s alleged violations.
On March 5, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) issued a ruling confirming that the Football Association of Malaysia had breached regulations related to the naturalization of players. The decision led to speculation that Malaysia could be handed defeats in their previous victories over Nepal (2–0) and Vietnam (4–0) during the final round of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers in 2025. Rumors also surfaced suggesting that the rematch between Vietnam and Malaysia might be canceled.
However, Datuk Seri Windsor Paul dismissed those claims, emphasizing that the scheduled match between the two national teams will still take place as planned.
“The matches must go on. These games are bound by contractual and commercial obligations and can only be canceled in cases involving national interest,” the Malaysian newspaper The Star quoted him as saying.
He further explained that both Vietnam and Malaysia have commercial commitments tied to the fixture. In addition, the match also carries ranking and competitive implications, making cancellation an inappropriate option.
Datuk Seri Windsor Paul confirmed that the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee has already begun reviewing the case following the CAS ruling. According to him, a final decision could be made within the next seven to ten days.
“The AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee will meet and issue a final decision after receiving an official response from the Football Association of Malaysia. We have identified certain provisions in the regulations that appear to have been violated and have requested clarification from the Malaysian side,” he stated.
If Malaysia are ultimately penalized with 0–3 defeats in their matches against Vietnam and Nepal in 2025, their current tally of 15 points would be reduced by six points, leaving them with only nine points and dropping them to second place in the group. Vietnam, currently on 12 points, would gain three additional points, move to the top of the standings, and secure qualification for the 2027 Asian Cup.
Facing the prospect of disciplinary action from the AFC, Malaysia national team CEO Rob Friend expressed disappointment. In a statement shared on the Malaysia NT platform, he argued that the sanctions imposed on the players were overly harsh and disproportionate when compared with similar cases. He also stressed that Malaysian football would continue to stand firmly behind the clubs and players affected by the controversy.
VSN/RPT
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