COMMENT | They exit the stage, leaving not glory but a mudslide of shame - a torrent that smeared the nation’s name as cheats, conjurers of deceit, and masters of manipulation.

The “grand plan” to vault Malaysia from the Asia Cup to the World Cup now lies in ruins, a paper tiger shredded by its own hubris.

The scam unravelled with the confessions of seven foreigners who were granted citizenship faster than you could boil water to make instant noodles.

They confessed that they had never spoken a word of Malay – a prerequisite for Malaysian citizenship - and neither had they stayed long enough to meet the residential qualification, but in less than six weeks, they had been granted Malaysian citizenship, issued identity cards and passports.

Although they hired the players and brokered deals with agents, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) clung to denial from Day One.

First, it was brushed off as...