Amid harsh criticism facing the leadership of the Football Association of Maldives (FAM), its President, Bassam Adeel Jaleel, has conferred with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Paris, France.
This visit comes at the most critical juncture for Bassam and the FAM's executives, as they grapple with a recent police investigation into allegations of misappropriating funds received from FIFA, AFC, and other international organizations.
Mihaaru has also gathered information indicating that, as part of the police inquiry into the FAM, it has been discovered that funds provided by international organizations to the FAM have been directed to the accounts of some of the association's owners and affiliated companies.
Infantino shared on social media that he had met with Bassam and FAM General Secretary Hussain Jawaz to explore avenues for enhancing football development in the country.
"[We discussed] football development and explore possibilities to take our beautiful game to more girls and boys in this beautiful country," Infantino shared on Instagram.
He reiterated FIFA's commitment to supporting all member associations, as they firmly believe in its mission.
Speculation has arisen in some circles about the possibility of the Maldives being suspended from FIFA if the police intervene in the FAM. However, as of now, FIFA has not made any such decision concerning the Maldives.
Former FAM President Ali Azim has called for a criminal investigation and believes that FIFA and AFC would not object to a police inquiry into the FAM if there were indications of theft or corruption.
Azim, who also served on the AFC's executive committee in the past, suggested that FIFA would only intervene if the FAM leadership encountered difficulties in running the association or if the government used its influence to place specific persons of their choice in the FAM's leadership.
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