Valencia have accused the Football Association of Maldives (FAM) of submitting key documents after the deadline to appeal a disciplinary decision related to a Dhivehi Premier League match.
The dispute stems from Green Street’s absence from a league match against New Radiant on February 8, which Valencia had formally reported.
In a statement issued on Monday night, FAM said Valencia had failed to file an appeal within the seven-day period allowed under the rules. As a result, the Appeal Committee decided not to accept the appeal.
However, Valencia rejected the claim, alleging that FAM delayed providing the documents needed to lodge the appeal.
According to the club, the association sent the required documents two days after the appeal deadline had already expired.
Initially, FAM had only granted Green Street, the team penalized in the case the opportunity to appeal. The club had been fined MVR 50,000 and allowed to challenge the decision.
Valencia said that after they raised concerns about not being given the same opportunity, FAM later allowed them to appeal the decision.
Dispute over documents
Valencia said that although FAM permitted the appeal, the association did not initially provide the disciplinary committee’s decision or other documents required for the process.
The club also alleged that the disciplinary committee had been influenced by FAM.
Valencia said several documents were not provided when requested, including:
- Match referee’s report
- Match commissioner’s report
- FAM appeal code
According to the club, FAM stated that no appeal code exists.
The club had also requested a Dhivehi and English copy of the disciplinary code and a report on the outcome of the case. Valencia said these documents were eventually provided.
However, the club said they were issued on February 17, two days after the seven-day appeal period from the February 8 decision had expired.
“The Dhivehi and English copy of the Disciplinary Code and the decision report were issued on February 17, 2026, two days after the seven day appeal period expired,” Valencia said in a statement.
Valencia also said no arrangements had been made for the club to pay the MVR 3,000 appeal fee, accusing FAM of having no intention of changing its decision.
The club added that the matter has been raised with FIFA, which advised them to proceed through the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Green Street did not attend the match against New Radiant and were deemed to have lost the game 2-0. Valencia were subsequently relegated to the second division, while Green Street qualified for the playoffs.
