ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) has officially concluded its investigation into the participation of several “sanctioned players” registered by Johor Darul Ta’zim in the ASEAN Club Championship or Shopee Cup 2025/26, confirming that no disciplinary action will be taken against the Malaysian giants.
Following a comprehensive review process, the AFF announced that there was no prima facie evidence indicating that either the club or the players violated the federation’s disciplinary regulations or competition rules.
In an official communication to stakeholders, the AFF explained that the investigation required careful examination due to the complexity of the case, particularly as it involved players who had been subject to international proceedings.
The governing body deliberately allowed those external legal processes to conclude before finalising its assessment to ensure that the review would be fair, balanced and based on complete information.
After analysing all relevant documentation and regulatory frameworks, the AFF determined that no wrongdoing had occurred.
Two critical conclusions were highlighted in the federation’s findings:
- No forged or falsified documents were submitted by JDT or the players during the registration process for the tournament.
- At all relevant times, the players involved held Malaysian nationality, meaning the club did not exceed the allowed quota of foreign players in any match of the competition.
Based on these findings, the AFF confirmed that no disciplinary proceedings would be pursued under the AFF Disciplinary and Ethics Code or the competition’s regulations.
While closing the case, the AFF reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the integrity of regional football competitions.
The federation emphasised that all matters related to eligibility and compliance will continue to be handled transparently and consistently, in accordance with international standards and regulatory frameworks.
Credit Photo : JST
