This week, CAS will decide the 'fate' of 7 naturalized Malaysian players.

From the viewpoint of sports lawyer Nik Erman Nik Roseli, his greater concern lies in examining the nature of the arguments that the lawyer representing the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) put forward to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), rather than the substance of the appeal for sentence reduction by the 7 naturalized players.

There is much speculation and assumption, but what is certain is that if CAS upholds the original decision, these 7 players will not be able to return to play for the Malaysian national team.

"What matters is the reason why the adjudicating panel accepts or rejects those arguments.

As a lawyer, it is crucial for me to know what arguments FAM and the players made, and why the panel dismissed them.

I see no reason why the minimum 12-month suspension could be reduced, and perhaps CAS will view the issue from a different angle.

The conclusion deemed the documents fraudulent, so if the decision stands, they could still continue playing at the club level, but they would be ineligible to play for Malaysia even if the penalty is reduced," he said.

There is no precise timing yet for when the appeal decision will be announced, but CAS is expected to issue its ruling this week regarding the appeal by FAM and the 7 naturalized players of the Malaysian national team.

Another sports lawyer, Syed Nur Aiman Syed Abdul Hamid, believes the decision is now merely a matter of time and that the chance of a ruling favorable to FAM is extremely slim.

He emphasized that there might still be a glimmer of hope for the 7 players through a reduced sentence or cancellation of the fine, but that does not apply to FAM.

This is due to the acknowledgment of the involvement of FAM's administrative division in handling the documents alleged to be forged, or more appropriately termed as administrative adjustments.

"FIFA's stance under Article 22 is very clear. There was an admission during the investigation as well as at the appeal stage that the players' testimonies were not truly convincing.

Therefore, whether intentional or not, the players would still be found guilty. That would shatter their hopes for success at CAS.

The chance is extremely slim, almost 99%, because that admission exists," he said.

Previously, Stadium Astro reported that the CAS hearing concluded last Friday, and everyone is now anxiously awaiting the final decision.