Nepal appeals to FIFA to overturn Malaysia defeat
The appeal was submitted following FIFA’s suspension of seven Malaysian players for using fake documents to claim Malaysian ancestry.
KATHMANDU: Nepal has formally appealed to FIFA, seeking to overturn its 2–0 defeat to Malaysia in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers, after it was revealed that Malaysia had fielded a banned player during the match.
According to All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) Chief Executive Officer Indraman Tuladhar, the appeal was submitted following FIFA’s suspension of seven Malaysian players for using fake documents to claim Malaysian ancestry.
Last month, FIFA imposed a one-year ban on the seven players and fined the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) USD 440,000, as reported by international news agency AFP. One of the banned players, Hector Hevel, had scored the opening goal against Nepal in Johor.
“We have already contacted FIFA regarding the use of an ineligible player in that match,” Tuladhar said. “Our request is that the result should be overturned accordingly.”
FIFA’s preliminary investigation found that none of the seven players’ parents or grandparents were born in Malaysia, contradicting their claims of Malaysian descent.
Meanwhile, FAM has denied any wrongdoing, insisting that all player eligibility decisions were made in compliance with legal procedures.
The same banned players also featured in Malaysia’s 4–0 win over Vietnam in June, AFP reported.
After four matches, Nepal remains at the bottom of Group F without a point, while Malaysia leads with 12 points, followed by Vietnam with 9 and Laos with 3.
