Malaysian fans fear Asian Cup exit over fake heritage allegations

Fifa suspends seven naturalised players, launches probe after 4-0 win over Vietnam

- Lu Wei Hoong Malaysia Correspondent

Malaysian football fans are fuming: The country is facing its biggest debacle in the sport in years, just one week before its national team plays Laos in a pivotal qualifier for the AFC Asian Cup.

On Sept 26, seven naturalised players from the team were suspended by Fifa, football's governing body, over the use of allegedly fake documents that showed their ties to Malaysia. The players were born in Spain, the Netherlands, Argentina and Brazil.

Besides fines for the players and the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), the country may also have to forfeit its 4-0 win in the qualifying round against Vietnam on June 10.

As the country seeks more players worldwide with Malaysian ancestry in its bid for regional dominance, the incident has raised questions among football fans over the process and what it means for the national team's identity.

"Of course I am disappointed. I hope FAM can be more careful in handling the naturalised players, a sensitive issue," said Mr Oun Hong Liang, 35, a longtime supporter of the national team, which is nicknamed Harimau Malaya, or Malayan Tigers.

The current mood is a stark contrast to the celebrations following Malaysia's thrashing of three-time Asean champions Vietnam during the Asian Cup qualifiers. The win was the first against Vietnam in a decade.