Bassam’s no fly order to be maintained until trial ends

The Criminal Court today maintained the travel ban imposed on Football Association of Maldives (FAM)’s President Bassam Adeel Jaleel over fraud and money laundering charges raised against him.

The ban, which is due to expire at the beginning of June, was initially placed in December 2023 upon the request of prosecutors.

With the ban’s deadline fast approaching, prosecution requested an extension pending the trial’s outcome, which was granted by the court.

Bassam, despite the no fly order, registered to attend the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)’s congress held in Thailand last Thursday and Friday. However, the exit restrictions on him prevented him from leaving the country.

Although Bassam was unable to attend, Maldives was represented at the congress by FAM’s Vice President Ali Umar and General Secretary Mohamed Jaushan Shareef.

This is not the first time Bassam missed out on a FIFA event since the ban. Previously Bassam applied for his passport to be released to attend an event held in Qatar, but was met with rejection from the court.

Addressing the country’s representation at the congress during a press conference held last Tuesday, Sports Commissioner Mohamed Tholal said that he would not object to other members of FAM attending the event should the law permit it.

Bassam is currently charged with misappropriating FAM's funds, while additional allegations are still being investigated by Maldives Police Service.

The probe into Bassam’s alleged indiscretions also resulted in FAM’s office being raided last October.