FAM approves new charter ahead of FIFA-set election deadline

The Football Association of Maldives (FAM) has approved a new charter during its congress held in Meeruma hall Friday evening, setting the stage for new elections in July.

The approval of the revised constitution comes amid concerns of a possible suspension by FIFA if elections are not conducted before the end of next month.

Of the 23 clubs eligible to vote, only 21 were present at the congress. Eagles and United Victory (UV), both first division clubs, did not attend.

The newly ratified charter introduces several changes. One of the key amendments is a revision in the nomination criteria for presidential candidates. Under the previous rules, candidates were required to have the backing of at least three first division clubs. The revised charter now mandates support from a minimum of two first division clubs and three second division clubs.

This change follows last year’s cancelled FAM elections, which were called off twice after the election committee ruled that former national team striker Ahmed Thorig did not meet the support threshold. FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) subsequently overturned the decisions and placed the FAM under a normalisation committee. The committee's mandate expires in July, by which time a new executive committee must be elected.

Another amendment under the new charter is the expansion of the number of first division clubs to ten. Additionally, the voting structure has been revised: each first division club will now have two votes, while each second division club will retain one vote.

FIFA has indicated that failure to hold elections before the end of July may result in the suspension of the FAM.