FIFA permission not needed for fraud probe involving FAM: Shameem
Former FAM president Bassam Adeel Jaleel has been convicted of fraud and money laundering and sentenced to nine years in prison on two charges.
Former Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem said on Thursday that police and the courts do not require FIFA’s permission to investigate allegations of fraud involving the Football Association of Maldives (FAM) and the misuse of FIFA funds in Maldives.
Former FAM president Bassam Adeel Jaleel has been convicted of fraud and money laundering and sentenced to nine years in prison on two charges. Additional cases remain ongoing. Bassam has argued that FIFA cannot investigate a case without permission from the organisation. The Criminal Court rejected this argument, and Bassam has appealed the decision at the High Court, which has not yet ruled on whether it will hear the case.
Shameem, who oversaw the filing of charges while serving as Prosecutor General, addressed the matter in a blog post. He outlined the basis for FAM’s membership in FIFA and the rationale behind the funding arrangement.
According to Shameem:
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Under Article 11(1) of the FIFA Constitution, only one association from each country may be a member
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In Maldives, FAM holds this position with approval from the government, under the condition that football development work be carried out locally
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Therefore, funding provided to FAM is intended for the people of Maldives for football development
Shameem wrote that FIFA receives funding from wealthier countries and private donors to support the development of football in smaller nations, and allocates funds on the condition that they be spent in the designated country. Once transferred, the money is treated as part of the national football development budget.
He stated: “Whether the money is channelled through FIFA or another organisation, it is effectively the money of the people of Maldives. FIFA and FAM act as trustees. Misuse of these funds is an offence against the rights of the people of Maldives.”
Shameem argued that investigations into alleged fraud involving FIFA funds can proceed without consideration of FIFA’s internal procedures or opinions, and said that preventing such investigations would conflict with principles developed to combat money laundering.
He highlighted:
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Maldives is a member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the international body established to address money laundering and the financing of terrorism
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The Maldives Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Act reflects FATF standards
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Under Maldivian law, the Home Ministry must monitor voluntary organisations if they receive and distribute aid funds
Shameem also addressed Bassam’s claim that Maldives could be suspended from FIFA if the investigation continues. He said such concerns are irrelevant in criminal proceedings, adding that no Maldivian court is bound to consider FIFA’s potential actions when determining whether a criminal case should be investigated.
He wrote: “There is nothing in the Constitution or law that requires a Criminal Court judge to act according to what FIFA might decide. Talk about a FIFA suspension is speculative.”
Shameem said FIFA suspends member associations only when a third party attempts to interfere with the running of a football body, not when a country investigates corruption.
He cited examples:
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In 2015, U.S. prosecutors filed major corruption charges against FIFA and CONCACAF officials involving more than USD 150 million. FIFA did not suspend the United States
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FIFA suspended Pakistan’s football association only after a court-appointed administrator took control of the association
Shameem said these examples indicate that corruption investigations do not lead to FIFA suspensions.
