Malaysia unlikely to win FIFA case at CAS, expert warns
Datuk Kamarul said it would be difficult for FAM to win against FIFA at CAS. Over the past two years, 54 similar cases have all failed; the 350,000 Swiss franc sentence and 12-month ban for 7 players remain unchanged.
“Only a miracle” – that is how Datuk Kamarul Ariffin Mohd Shahar described the chances of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) taking its case against the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). According to this expert, the current facts make the possibility of overturning the ruling almost zero, making pursuing the case a waste of time and money.
Background and FIFA's decision
Previously, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee rejected FAM's appeal and upheld the 350,000 Swiss franc fine and 12-month bans on seven naturalized players accused of using fake documents. These players were used in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.
With the above conclusion, FIFA shows that the dossier and basis for handling have been strengthened, making the door to reversal at CAS level extremely narrow. Mr. Datuk Kamarul believes that continuing to pursue the lawsuit will not bring practical results for FAM.
Statistics against FAM at CAS
The biggest support for Datuk Kamarul’s pessimistic argument is the number of similar lawsuits: “In the past two years, 54 cases brought to CAS against FIFA have all ended in failure. Not a single case has been won. That also means FIFA’s evidence is quite solid.”
This statistic highlights the unfavorable context: when the sanctioned party cannot provide a strong enough legal basis to refute FIFA's arguments and evidence, the possibility of overturning the judgment is almost non-existent.
FAM's Impact and Next Options
Datuk Kamarul said FAM’s priority at this time is not to prolong the litigation, but to restore its reputation and integrity in management. Rebuilding the trust of domestic fans and international partners is seen as a crucial step for Malaysian football to overcome the crisis and move towards a more sustainable future.
This view also reflects reality: when the legal risks at CAS level are too great, resources should be allocated to internal measures – from strengthening the legal examination process of player records, tightening governance to increasing transparency – to limit the recurrence of errors, while gradually restoring trust.
Key numbers
- 350,000 Swiss francs: FAM fine remains unchanged.
- 12 months: ban on 7 naturalized players.
- 7 players: accused of using fake documents.
- 54 lawsuits in two years: according to Datuk Kamarul, all failed to sue FIFA at CAS.
- Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers: context of matches involving accused players.
