FAM works to recover from past mismanagement

The Football Association of Maldives (FAM) is taking action to address irregularities that occurred during the leadership of former President Bassam Adeel Jaleel.

The FAM exco recently held a meeting to request a special audit from the Auditor General regarding land previously set aside for a football school in Hulhumale. They are also investigating the construction of warehouses in the Maafannu Stadium area and changes made to building blueprints without FIFA's approval.

FAM stated that the land allocated by the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) for a football school and training facility in Hulhumale appears to have been misused. A special audit will be conducted with the help of the Auditor General, the new exco said.

The association has also decided to publicly request copies of agreements if it is found that the Hulhumale land was leased to various individuals and not all agreements are on file with FAM.

Furthermore, a building funded by FIFA in the Maafannu Stadium area seems to have been altered without FIFA's permission, with warehouses constructed and rented out. FAM is requesting copies of these rental agreements.

The FAM exco has decided to halt any further changes to the Maafannu Stadium building until further notice and to prevent any additional construction on the land. A notice will be posted in the area to this effect.

Bassam was FAM President when these leases occurred. Last June, FIFA's Independent Ethics Committee suspended him for nine months due to corruption allegations. Bassam also faces fraud and money laundering charges in Maldivian courts.