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FIFA has handed former Football Association of Maldives President Bassam Adeel Jaleel a lifetime ban from all football activities and fined him $1.2 million for misappropriating international relief loans.
News Desk
Bassam in Maafushi prison -
MALÉ: World football governing body FIFA has issued a lifetime ban from all football-related activities to former Football Association of Maldives (FAM) President Bassam Adeel Jaleel.
In an official statement, FIFA confirmed that an ethics investigation proved Bassam misappropriated international relief funds provided to assist Maldivian football during the COVID-19 pandemic for personal financial gain. Along with the lifetime ban, FIFA fined Bassam $1.2 million.
FIFA also suspended former FAM Finance and Administration Director Mohamed Aqeel for 10 years from all football activities and fined him $122,000. Local authorities extradited Aqeel from Thailand in March and placed him under pre-trial detention.
The FIFA sanctions follow extensive local legal proceedings against Bassam. The Criminal Court previously sentenced Bassam to a total of 32 years in prison and imposed a MVR 44 million fine across multiple cases involving embezzlement and money laundering, including the misuse of $1.2 million in FAM funds to purchase luxury penthouse apartments at Amin Avenue.
Additionally, the Anti-Corruption Commission recently referred a separate case to prosecutors alleging Bassam received $29,000 linked to the MMPRC graft scandal. The court transferred Bassam to indefinite house arrest last month while he serves his sentences.
FIFA Disciplinary Sanctions: Lifetime football ban and $1.2 million fine for Bassam Adeel Jaleel; 10-year ban and $122,000 fine for Mohamed Aqeel.
Total Local Prison Sentences: Bassam sentenced to 32 years combined across corruption and money laundering convictions.
Local Court Fine Amount: MVR 44 million ordered by the Criminal Court.
Pending ACC Investigation: Referral over $29,000 linked to MMPRC funds.
