Fazeel's Future Homes drops legal action against FAM

Future Homes Pvt Ltd has withdrawn its Civil Court case against the Football Association of Maldives (FAM) over an eviction notice relating to a building constructed on land within the Maafannu Stadium area.

The company, owned by former Maldives national football team midfielder Ibrahim Fazeel, filed the case after FAM sought to recover possession of the land.

Under an agreement signed in 2023 between Future Homes and the previous FAM administration, the company was allocated a 2,700-square-foot plot for a period of 25 years without rent.

Future Homes subsequently constructed a two-storey building on the land, which forms part of the area allocated to FAM for football development.

After the company failed to vacate the premises despite repeated requests, FAM said it would pursue legal action.

Future Homes then filed a case in the Civil Court seeking a declaration that the current FAM management's decision to evict the company was inconsistent with the 2023 agreement.

The company also sought an ex parte interim injunction to suspend the eviction until the court reached a final decision and to prevent FAM from taking further action to recover the property.

On 15 July, Chief Judge Maryam Waheed granted both parties one week to pursue an out-of-court settlement.

According to a case resolution report issued by the Civil Court on Tuesday, the parties reached an agreement during the mediation period and decided not to proceed with the case.

The court report states that both the main claim and the application for an interim injunction have been withdrawn.

In its court filing, Future Homes said the building had been constructed in accordance with its agreement with FAM.

The company said the project included clearing waste and construction debris from the area south of the stadium's artificial turf pitch, cleaning the site and constructing facilities to be used as changing rooms.

It said the land had been allocated without rent in exchange for carrying out those works.

Future Homes also stated that construction materials worth approximately MVR 3 million were being stored on the ground floor pending completion of the project.

According to the filing, the first floor was intended to be used as an event hall to generate income, but the eviction notice was issued before the facility began operations.

The company further stated that the removal of construction debris and rubble formed part of its obligations under the agreement with FAM.