FIFA bans ex-FAM chief Bassam for life alongside USD 1.23M fine

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has imposed a lifetime ban on Bassam Adeel Jaleel, former President of the Football Association of Maldives (FAM), from participating in any football-related activities and fined him approximately USD 1.23 million (1,000,000 Swiss Francs) for violations of FIFA’s Code of Ethics.

In an official statement, FIFA confirmed that Bassam was found responsible for financial misconduct, money laundering, and the misappropriation of funds from FIFA’s COVID-19 Relief Grant for personal benefit.

"The former President of FAM, Bassam Adeel Jaleel, has violated several articles of the FIFA Code of Ethics. These include provisions related to the protection of physical and mental integrity, avoiding conflicts of interest, and the misappropriation of funds specifically allocated as COVID-19 relief aid by FIFA," the statement on the Ethics Committee’s decision read.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Ageel, former Director of Finance and Administration at FAM, has been suspended for 10 years and fined 100,000 Swiss Francs.

Bassam is already facing numerous embezzlement charges and convictions in the Maldives in connection with the case.

The most prominent case concerns the purchase of two apartments at Amin Avenue in Hulhumalé using funds from the COVID-19 Relief Fund, along with other financial assistance provided to FAM by international organizations.

Following an investigation by the Maldives Police Service, the Prosecutor General’s Office filed multiple charges of embezzlement and money laundering against Bassam before the Criminal Court.

The Maldivian courts subsequently found Bassam guilty, sentencing him to imprisonment and ordering the forfeiture to the state of the two Amin Avenue apartments, which were allegedly acquired using embezzled funds. However, following medical advice and consideration of his health condition, Bassam was later transferred from prison to house arrest.

With FIFA’s latest ruling, Bassam has become the highest-ranking official in the history of Maldivian football to receive a lifetime suspension from the sport’s global governing body.