Appeal contests Criminal Court decision in Bassam case

An appeal has been filed in the High Court regarding the Criminal Court's decision to reject the defense claim that the charges against the former President of the Football Association of Maldives (FAM), Bassam Adheel Jaleel, cannot be heard without the permission of Federation International de Football Association (FIFA).

Bassam, who is currently serving a nine-year jail sentence for corruption and money laundering, faces additional charges of embezzlement and money laundering. These charges allege that he embezzled USD 1.2 million (approximately MVR 19 million) sent by FIFA to the FAM.

Bassam's defense raised the argument in the Criminal Court that the case could not be heard without FIFA's approval. The Criminal Court rejected this defense. While Bassam's representatives have appealed this decision to the High Court, the court has not yet decided whether to accept the case for review.

They argued in the Criminal Court that matters alleging embezzlement of FIFA funds cannot be investigated without FIFA's permission. The defense claimed that proceeding without FIFA's consent could result in the suspension of the country by FIFA. The defense also pointed out that the State did not seek FIFA's permission before proceeding and cited examples in other countries where investigative bodies refrain from pursuing such cases without FIFA's approval.

The State contended that since FIFA provided the funds to FAM for a specific purpose, the Maldivian Police and legal authorities have the jurisdiction to investigate if those funds were misused, arguing that FIFA's regulations do not supersede Maldivian law.

The Criminal Court considered the arguments and ruled that FIFA's regulations do not take precedence over the laws of the Maldives. The court thus concluded that there were no impediments to proceeding with the case.