FIFA bans ex-FAM chief Bassam for life, fines him $1.23 million
Bassam is currently serving a 32-year prison sentence after being convicted in connection with the misuse of funds.
FIFA has banned former Football Association of Maldives (FAM) president Bassam Adil Jaleel from all football-related activities for life and fined him CHF 1 million, equivalent to about USD 1.23 million.
Bassam is currently serving a 32-year prison sentence after being convicted in connection with the misuse of funds from a USD 1.9 million FIFA COVID-19 relief loan provided to FAM to help clubs facing financial difficulties during the pandemic.
Other cases involving allegations of misuse of FAM funds are also pending against him in court.
In a statement issued on Friday, FIFA said Bassam had used COVID-19 relief funds provided to the Maldives for his own benefit. It said he had been permanently suspended from football-related activities and fined CHF 1 million.
FIFA had previously provisionally suspended Bassam while investigating the allegations.
The world football governing body also announced sanctions against former FAM Head of Accounts Mohamed Ageel in connection with the case.
Ageel has been suspended from all football-related activities for 10 years and fined CHF 100,000, or about USD 122,000.
According to FIFA, Ageel was sanctioned for facilitating the misappropriation of FIFA funds, helping conceal the conduct, using forged documents and failing to cooperate with FIFA’s independent Ethics Committee.
Ageel has also been charged by the state in the Maldives over allegations that he assisted in laundering money linked to the misuse of FAM funds.
