Manager of Maldives national football team resigns

Manager of the Maldives National Football Team (Salsa) Ibrahim Amir has resigned today, ahead of the South Asian Federation Football Federation Cup (SAFF) Championship scheduled to begin in Nepal this Saturday.

Amir’s resignation was announced by Football Association of Maldives (FAM)'s Director of the National Team Ali Suzein, at a press conference at the association’s office today.

Suzein said that Amir decided to resign after FAM and the Manager failed agree on certain disciplinary measures that the Amir wanted to impose on certain national team players after witnessing issues of conduct from the team during their recent training trip in Thailand.

“The problem within the team was, as we've heard, two players turned up late for a meal, out side the specified regulation. They were penalized for this on that day itself, some of their pocket money was deducted, amongst other measure,” Suzein said. “In addition, the Manager had a discussion to exclude the two players from the team, and FAM also then said that discipline should be maintained.”

Suzein said that the incident took place on the night they arrived in Thailand and that the two players in question had participated in all practices as planned, as per advice from officials.

The two players are known to be Ismail Easa and Hassan Adh’ham.

Suzein assured that the FAM will impose any disciplinary measures as required and said that both players had apologized for the behavior on the day of the incident.

“Both players are important to the coach and FAM does not want to make them unavailable. FAM is also with the coach’s decision,” Suzain said.

The FAM Director also said that the Association respects Amir’s stand and that they recognize his contributions as team's manager.

Ibrahim Amir has been involved in the management of the Maldives National Football Team since 2011. In a short interview to Sun, Amir said that he wanted maintain the team’s discipline and that he resigned because FAM did not heed his proposal.

The Maldives National Team is scheduled to leave to Nepal for the SAFF Championship on Wednesday night. Director of National Team Ali Suzein will accompany the team as manager, for the course of the tournament.