Football association ordered to pay MVR 1.5 million to STO

The Civil Court on Sunday ordered the Football Association of Maldives (FAM) to pay MVR 1.5 million to STO.

STO paid MVR 1.5 million to the FAM as a sponsorship fee for a tournament to be held by the association. The money was paid on October 18, 2022 under an agreement between the two parties.

STO filed a case in the Civil Court seeking recovery of the money saying the tournament was not held in accordance with the terms of the agreement.

STO sought an order to repay the money.

The court ruled that the FAM had not complied with many of the provisions of the agreement. 

They also added that the agreement to hold a tournament called STO South League in the southern region as part of the Dhivehi League.

The FAM agreed to start the tournament on December 8, 2022 but failed to do so.

The FAM has not responded to letters sent by STO to clarify the date of the tournament.

On December 6, 2023, STO sent a notice to the FAM to cancel the agreement. 

The court ordered the company to pay the money within 15 days as the evidence submitted by STO proved the case to the civil standard. The FAM was summoned but failed to appear in court.

Many of the FAM's debt cases and non-payment of agreements have been filed in the court.

Former FAM president Bassam Adeel Jaleel has been charged with money laundering, with pending cases of money laundering against him.