OFFICIAL: AFC addresses possibility of canceling Vietnam vs Malaysia match

In response to The Star, AFC General Secretary Windsor Paul John provided comments on the potential cancellation of the Vietnam versus Malaysia match in the Asian Cup 2027 qualifying round.

Accordingly, the match between the Vietnam national team and Malaysia in the third qualifying round of Asian Cup 2027 will proceed as scheduled, despite recent legal controversies involving the Malaysian Football Association and the "Harimau Malaya" national team.

This information was confirmed by AFC General Secretary Windsor Paul John amid widespread speculation suggesting the match between the two teams could be canceled if Malaysia faces a ban or suspension from official competitions.

According to Windsor, matches within the Asian Cup qualifying framework are contractually agreed events tied to commercial obligations, making cancellation difficult. “The matches must continue. These are contractually and commercially binding matches, so they should not be canceled unless exceptional factors related to national interests arise,” he stated.

The AFC General Secretary also emphasized that both Vietnam and Malaysia national teams have commercial obligations to fulfill. Additionally, match outcomes directly affect rankings and group standings, making cancellation hardly a considered option.

Regarding the matter, Windsor noted AFC’s Disciplinary and Ethics Committee has initiated proceedings following the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling. AFC has requested FAM to submit an official response regarding identified violations of relevant regulations.

“We have identified potential violated clauses and requested Malaysia to provide explanations. Upon receiving feedback, the disciplinary committee will convene to make a final decision based on documents and evidence, including information supplied by FIFA,” Windsor stated. The official conclusion is expected within the next 7–10 days.

Previously, CAS partially upheld the appeal of seven players penalized in a case involving forged documents related to eligibility. According to the ruling issued in Lausanne, these players still face a 12-month playing ban, but the penalty applies only to official matches. This means they can still train and participate in other football activities with their club.

While awaiting AFC’s final verdict, according to the Asian football federation leadership’s affirmation, the Vietnam vs Malaysia match in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers will proceed as planned, promising significant attention from Southeast Asian fans.