FIFA Bans Former FAM President Bassam for Life Over Misuse of COVID Funds

FIFA has banned former Football Association of Maldives (FAM) President Bassam Adeel Jaleel from all football-related activities for life and fined him USD 1.23 million for misusing funds provided under its COVID-19 Relief Plan.

FIFA said the sanction followed findings that Bassam had misused FIFA funds for his personal benefit.

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Bassam had been provisionally suspended from football for more than two years before the FIFA Disciplinary Committee announced its verdict.

Bassam is currently serving a combined 32-year prison sentence for financial crimes involving FAM funds. He was convicted of fraud, money laundering and embezzlement, including the misuse of approximately USD 1.2 million to purchase a penthouse apartment on Amin Avenue.

The Criminal Court also fined him MVR 44 million in connection with the offences.

Bassaam has since been temporarily transferred to house arrest following advice from the Medical Board due to health reasons.

The transfer is temporary, according to Maldives Prisons authorities, with authorities citing his medical condition as the basis for the decision.

Bassaam was previously transferred to house arrest on 16 March, but was returned to prison the following day amid public criticism of the decision.

FIFA has also imposed a 10-year ban on former FAM Director of Finance and Administration Mohamed Ageel and fined him USD 184,000.

According to FIFA, Ageel was sanctioned for facilitating and concealing the misuse of FIFA funds, using falsified documentation and failing to cooperate with the ethics investigation.

The sanctions relate to the misuse of FIFA funding provided to support football activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.