Central-Henveiru MP and former president of Football Association of Maldives (FAM) said the best decision for Maldives football right now is FIFA's suspension of the association.
After Maldives Police raided FAM House on Sunday over allegations of financial mismanagement, corruption and transferring funds received by FIFA and other international federations to personal bank accounts, many have speculated on the possibility of the association facing suspension.
Azim, who bemoaned the current condition of the local football scene, said it was best if the association was suspended temporarily.
The MP also said he had notified President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih nearly two years back that action must be taken against FAM even at the risk of the association's suspension.
"Maldives football will not face any more damage from the suspension than it has already borne given how things there [FAM] have gotten so out of hand. The place requires a complete 'overhaul' even if it requires a suspension," Azim said.
Azim further said that FAM is unlikely to face a suspension from FIFA despite the recent police crackdown for criminal investigation. The MP, who is also a former AFC Executive Committee Member, said neither FIFA nor AFC would intervene in criminal investigations carried out by the local law enforcement authorities on the respective national football federation.
The MP also noted that FIFA will take action against the senior officials of FAM if the criminal investigation finds them culpable. He also added that the police do not need wait for orders of any agency, and can launch investigations if they receive probable cause of corruption.
"Whether it is the football association in the Maldives or any other sports association, police will investigate and take necessary action if they have reasonable cause to suspect criminal conduct of said associations," Azim said.
So far, FAM has not stepped forward to make any statements regarding the recent police crackdown. The association's president, Bassam Adeel Jaleel, said he will not make any comments until the investigation concludes.
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