Malaysian Foreign Ministry: 'Vietnam has complained to us'

On October 16, the Nepalese Football Association (ANFA) confirmed to AFP that it had filed a complaint demanding a win over Malaysia because the opponent used an unqualified player Hector Hevel in the March 25, 2025 match.

Responding to the Malaysian newspaper Sinar Harian on Monday, Mahadi said Nepal’s new complaint to FIFA was “nothing to worry about”, as the case was “completely similar to the case of Vietnam” and was part of the appeal process that the Malaysian Football Association (FAM) was pursuing.

“Vietnam has also filed a similar complaint with Nepal, involving seven players who have been naturalised,” he said. “The outcome of the appeal will decide both matches, against Vietnam and Nepal.”

Mahadi said the FAM did not take the complaints of Nepal and Vietnam lightly, but insisted the top priority was to wait for FIFA’s ruling. "We do not ignore the complaint, but need to focus completely on the appeal process. If we win, the issues in both matches will be resolved automatically," Mahadi added.

However, according to a MetaSports source, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has not taken any action on the punishment for FAM, and is only awaiting the result of Malaysia’s appeal.

Hevel is the author of the opening table score, helping Malaysia beat Nepal 2-0 in the first round of the 2027 Asian Cup final. On June 10, 2025, he joined six other international players – Joao Figueiredo, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Facundo Garces, Jon Irazabal and Gabriel Palmero – in a 4-0 victory over Vietnam. The seven players were later banned from playing for a year for forgery of citizenship records.

Mahadi succeeded Joehari Ayub as FAM chairman. Ayub resigned on August 22, at the same time FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings with the FAM and seven players, on health grounds.

On October 15, Malaysia filed an appeal. Then, if the result is not as intended, they can sue the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). This process usually lasts from two to six months, depending on the degree of complexity. In the meantime, Malaysia will still be allowed to play in the Asian Cup final, but the result may be adjusted after a final ruling.

After four Group F matches, Malaysia is leading with 12 points. Vietnam got 9 points, second place. Laos is third with three points. Nepal lost four matches and came last.

The final qualifying round takes place in November 2025, and the final round on March 31, 2026 with the focus on Vietnam vs Malaysia.