Tom contests for FAM’s presidency

Mahibadhoo MP Ahmed Thoriq (Tom), who previously played as a forward in the Maldivian national team, has submitted his application for the post of the president of Football Association of Maldives (FAM) on Wednesday.

Former president of FAM Bassam Adeel Jaleel lost his post on Tuesday following which the election of a new president has been slated for January 31st.

Tom, in a post on X on Wednesday, revealed he had submitted his application to contest for the post with the backing of three first-division teams; Maziya, Valencia and TC.

This marks the third time Tom is contesting for FAM’s presidency.

The deadline to file applications expired at 2:00pm on Wednesday.

Bassam, who lost his post yesterday, was first elected FAM’s president in 2016 after competing against Tom.

He lost his post after Tom had initiated efforts to dismiss him from the post.

Two members of FAM’s Executive Committee resigned in October; Vice President Hussain Shaafiu (Kokky) who is also the CEO of Maziya Sports and Recreation Club and Mauviyath Khaleel (Muabe) who is the CEO of Club Green Streets.

Early in December, Abdulla Shibau was appointed to the Committee. However, the appointment was not confirmed as general members had not granted approval to Shibau.

An official from FAM told Sun that an additional three members of the Executive Committee sent their resignation letters on December 15th. They are Ahmed Nasheed (Dave), who leads TC Sports Club, Aminath Shaaneez and Mohamed Shifaau.

Since their resignation letters have been accepted – there are only four members remaining in the Executive Committee including Bassam. Therewith, all members, including Bassam, have lost their posts. FAM’s Executive Committee comprises of a total of nine members.

Many football officials have claimed cases of corruption within FAM, with the association's president Bassam spearheading these efforts. Authorities have launched an investigation into the allegations. They suspected FAM’s top officials of misappropriating the funds it received from the international governing body of association football, FIFA.

Prosecutor General’s Office has said that investigators were able to collect key evidence in such financial crime investigations, committed through bank cards as suspects had used their bank cards for payments during trips, making the hotels and the shopping malls they visited known.

As per the office, authorities need some additional evidence before they can file formal charges.

FAM has not been able to pay its employees on a regular basis either. Additionally, they are also in hot water with FIFA over the non-payment of salaries to former national team technical staff. FIFA has dispersed USD 100,000 to the association, specifically to pay its employees, and is set to disperse an additional USD 200,000. 

The association is also knee-deep in debt with multiple cases underway in Maldivian courts against the association.

Bassam previously stated he would make a comment once the police finish their investigation. However, he has denied any misappropriation of funds from the association, adding audits from FIFA and AFC show no wrongdoing as well.