Up to clubs to prevent Maldives' football suspension: Minister

Minister of Sports, Fitness and Recreation Abdulla Rafiu has said that saving Maldives football from suspension is in the hands of football clubs.

Speaking last night in State media PSM's 'Raajje Miadhu' programme, Rafiu said that the question of whether Maldives' football is saved from suspension or not rests with FAM Congress member clubs.

He said that it is now the responsibility of FAM member clubs, who are in the position of making the best efforts to save football.

The minister's comments come at a time when some clubs are considering boycotting the FAM Congress planned to amend the association's governing statute. The congress to amend the governing statute cannot be held unless the quorum of one third is met.

The quorum was not met in the last congress as well. However, as changing the governing statute was not on the agenda, it was proceeded with the lowest possible quorum.

Last month's congress met to determine an audit firm for FAM and to elect members for internal committees.

With this being the second normalization since FAM's Executive Committee started being elected, the Minister said that being in a state of normalization is an added challenge.

'This situation is the saddest position an association can be in, to have to be normalized," he said.

The governing regulations need to passed ahead of the end of the Normalization Committee's term on July 23. If this is not achieved, there is a likelihood that FIFA will suspend Maldives.

FAM currently has owes over MVR 150 million in debt. If suspended, Maldives will not receive any financial assistance from FIFA or AFC.

Experts say this may lead to the liquidation of FAM.

The minister also pointed out that if it comes to this, all the member clubs will also be dissolved.