Ex-FAM President Bassam sentenced to 4 years in jail for misuse of FIFA funds
Bassam deposited USD 10,000 from FIFA’s 2018 financial contribution to FAM into his personal bank account on 26 August 2018.
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The Criminal Court on Wednesday sentenced former Football Association of Maldives (FAM) President Bassam Adeel Jaleelto four years in jail for misusing funds provided by FIFA to the association.
According to the prosecution, Bassam deposited USD 10,000 from FIFA’s 2018 financial contribution to FAM into his personal bank account on 26 August 2018.
The state alleged that a substantial portion of the amount was used for personal benefit, including payments made to Glacier Investments, a company owned by Bassam and his wife.The prosecution further stated that USD 2,000 of the funds was used to pay rent for a Rehendhi flat.
The Criminal Court held its verdict hearing on Wednesday.
The court determined that the basic punishment for the offence was one year, seven months, and six days in jail. However, based on the financial assessment report submitted by the prosecution, which showed significant personal deposits into Bassam’s account, the presiding judge exercised discretion to impose the maximum penalty of four years in prison.
Bassam had served as FAM president during the period in question, overseeing FIFA development funds allocated to the Maldives for football administration and infrastructure.
Neither Bassam nor his legal representatives have publicly commented on the verdict.
