Commissioner seeks FAM records amid probe into club fund misuse

Sports Commissioner Mohamed Tholal has formally requested financial records from the Football Association of Maldives (FAM) as part of an ongoing police investigation into the alleged misappropriation of funds provided by FAM to first division football clubs.

According to a letter sent by the commissioner to FAM, there is evidence that funds allocated to some first division clubs were deposited into the personal accounts of club officials and their affiliated companies. The police have shared this information with the Sports Commissioner's Office, prompting an administrative inquiry in addition to the ongoing criminal investigation.

The commissioner has asked FAM to submit details of all financial assistance provided to clubs from 2018 to 2024, including the bank accounts into which the funds were deposited. He also requested any available records outlining how the clubs used the funds and asked FAM to disclose any internal actions taken against clubs in relation to these matters.

Among the clubs currently under investigation are Eagles, SUS, United Victory, and Green Street. Other first division clubs include Valencia, Maziya, TC, and Buru Sports.

FAM Interim General Secretary Mohamed Shujau stated that bank statements are being gathered and will be submitted to the commissioner.

“We will have the statements available from the banks,” he said.

The investigation is unfolding at a time when FAM is preparing to hold a congress on 27 June to approve a new constitution. The congress is a prerequisite for holding new elections under the supervision of FIFA’s Normalisation Committee. FIFA has mandated that the elections be held before the end of July. Failure to meet this deadline may result in a suspension of the Maldives from international football activities.

The police are also continuing a separate investigation into former FAM president Bassam Adeel Jaleel. In 2023, the police seized hard drives from FAM’s computers as part of that case.