The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has waived USD253,030 (MVR3.9 million) owed by the Football Association of Maldives (FAM) and lifted its financial suspension.

The money was provided by the AFC to FAM in 2023 as financial assistance. However, the AFC later ordered FAM to repay the funds after an investigation into their misuse during the tenure of then-FAM president Bassam Adeel Jaleel. As a result, the AFC suspended financial assistance to Maldives from 2024.

FAM said in a statement today that the AFC had waived the outstanding amount and lifted the suspension following a request from the Maldives. The decision means FAM will be eligible to apply for the AFC’s financial assistance programme from next year.

“This decision is an important opportunity to restore, rebuild and financially stabilise Maldivian football and to promote and develop Maldivian football in the future with the assistance of AFC,” FAM said.

Bassam has also faced allegations of misusing FIFA funds provided to FAM during his tenure. FIFA has banned him from football for life. He has been convicted and sentenced to prison in several cases, while additional cases against him remain pending.