A FIFA delegation is scheduled to meet the government without a member of FAM present for the first time today after refusing previous requests to do so. They have also proceeded deliberations with football clubs yesterday.
Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has made preparations to conduct deliberations with the government without the presence of a Football Association of Maldives (FAM) representative for the first time.
A delegation from FIFA is currently present in the Maldives to assess the state of the country's football scene and the issues within the Football Association. This delegation, comprised of representatives from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) as well as FIFA, held discussions with football stakeholders on Sunday.
The delegation is scheduled to meet the Commissioner of Sports, Mohamed Tholal alongside officials of the Ministry of Sports, Fitness and Recreation today to proceed negotiations as well. This marks the first time FIFA has convened with the government without any involvement of FAM.
Delegations of FIFA had also previously visited the country to assess the situation of the country's football when issues related to FAM surfaced. Despite the government requesting to meet with the delegation separately at the time, they had refused the request.
Amidst the conflict that ensued following an appeal on the no-confidence of President of FAM, Bassam Adeel Jaleel, a FIFA delegation arrived in the country and held discussions with FAM as well as various football clubs. Subsequently, the Minister of Tourism Ali Waheed, who was also the acting Minister of Sports at the time, sent an appeal to the delegation for a meeting.
"The FIFA team said that they could meet, but they would only engage in discussions with the government if members of FAM were present," said an individual actively assisting the FIFA delegation at the time, speaking to Mihaaru News.
However, this time, the FIFA delegation is convening with the Sports Commissioner and Sports Ministry officials without any FAM representatives present. The individual tasked with assisting this delegation is Mohamed Ameez, who was formerly active in the Referees Department of AFC.
Despite remaining on the sidelines of the meeting, an individual connected with the FIFA delegation assured that Ameez would have no participation in the meetings.
"Only FIFA and AFC will meet with the government. This is, as far as I know, the first time FIFA is speaking with the Maldives government without any FAM representation." said the official connected with the FIFA delegation.
On Sunday, this delegation of FIFA had also met with football clubs that were excluded from the Extraordinary Congress held by the Football Association. This delegation is further scheduled to meet with the Maldives Olympics Committee as well.
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