AFC waives FAM’s MVR 3.9 million dues, a turning point for Maldives football

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has waived USD 253,030 (MVR 3.9 million) owed by the Football Association of Maldives (FAM), lifting the financial suspension imposed on the association.

The decision marks a significant boost for Maldivian football, which has been struggling with deep financial and administrative challenges over recent years.

The amount in question was allocated under the AFC’s 2023 financial assistance program to support FAM operations and football development in the Maldives. However, a special audit commissioned by the AFC later found that the funds had been misused during the tenure of former FAM President Bassam Adeel Jaleel and the then-management.

Following the audit, AFC ordered FAM to repay the USD 253,030, and imposed financial sanctions that suspended all AFC assistance to the Maldives from 2024 onwards.

In a press statement on Saturday, FAM announced that AFC had forgiven the debt and lifted the financial measures after the association formally requested leniency to help rebuild Maldivian football.

With the decision, Maldives will once again be eligible to apply for AFC’s development and financial aid programs from next year.

“This decision is an important opportunity to restore, rebuild and financially stabilize Maldivian football, and to promote and develop Maldives football in the future with the assistance of the AFC,” FAM said in its statement.

Bassam’s tenure has been marred by multiple financial misconduct findings. In addition to the AFC case, he was found to have misappropriated funds from FIFA’s development programs. The FIFA Ethics Committee subsequently banned him for life from all football-related activities.

Bassam was also convicted of fraud in a separate case involving the purchase of an apartment using FAM funds for personal benefit. He continues to face additional money laundering and fraud charges in Maldivian courts.