Club Valencia, a five-time Premier League champion and a football powerhouse in the country, has officially pulled out of the Maldives Premier League, citing financial issues. The club, which has informed the Football Association of Maldives (FAM) about its decision, won't feature in the upcoming league matches.
Meanwhile, Club Green Streets, also grappling with financial challenges, has not communicated its withdrawal to the FAM. Although the team's matches are scheduled, there are indications that they may not participate in the remainder of the league.
According to a team official, they have decided not to play due to perceived discrimination in government funding for clubs. Despite the absence of Valencia matches in the released schedule, Green Streets' match against Buru Sports is slated for Monday evening.
The Green official stated, "We are not going to play in the league. The government gave money to certain clubs, creating disparities, so we decided not to participate."
The Sports Ministry provided the full funding amount to Maziya, Eagles, Super United Sport, and Buru Sports Club. In contrast, Valencia and Green, along with United Victory and TC, received only MVR 250,000 per club out of a total of MVR 1 million.
FAM General Secretary Hussain Jawaz conveyed that the league game involving Valencia could not proceed due to a lack of players, with most participants being school children whose schedules coincide with exam periods. Jawaz mentioned forwarding the matter to the relevant committee as Valencia had abandoned the matches.
Both Valencia and Green Streets have faced FIFA penalties, including a transfer ban, due to non-payment of salary to a foreign player.
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