PG shares FAM corruption update with Normalization Committee

Prosecutor General Abbas Shareef on Tuesday, shared the latest updates regarding the corruption allegations tied to Football Association of Maldives (FAM) with the association’s Normalization Committee and FIFA’s delegation.

The Prosecutor General’s Office said it met with the committee upon the latter’s request, at Hotel Jen to provide details about the alleged embezzlement of FAM funds and corruption.

The committee shared the challenges it faced reverting to normalcy amid the ongoing criminal investigations on its former leaders. Abbas assured to provide leeway to the association with help from relevant authorities.

Abbas further advised the committee to restructure the association’s operations to deter similar incidents in the future.

Police recently revealed FAM’s embattled former President Bassam Adeel Jaleel had siphoned funds from the association to purchase two luxury apartments from Ameen Avenue properties.

The money had been set aside as aid to sports clubs during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Police in their press briefing revealed Bassam had siphoned a total of MVR 3,084,000 out of FAM’s funds towards these purchases.

Earlier on June 20, FIFA decided to suspend Bassam for nine months over allegations of abuse of power and illicit enrichment.

Bassam faces other criminal charges in relation to the corruption.