Bassam Adeel Jaleel Seeks Deadline Extension to Hand Over Apartments Purchased with FIFA Loan

Former President of the Football Association of Maldives (FAM), Bassam Adeel Jaleel, has requested an extension for the handover of two apartments purchased with funds from a FIFA loan, missing the original deadline set by the police.

The Football Association of Maldives (FAM) had issued a notice to the police to recover two apartments purchased by Bassam using funds provided by FIFA. The apartments, located on Ameen Avenue, were meant to be handed over by today, as per a court ruling on September 28. However, Bassam has requested an extension of the deadline until the end of this month.

The police confirmed they are processing a response to Bassam’s request and reiterated that failure to comply with today’s deadline would result in the apartments being taken into custody.

Bassam is accused of using a loan intended to support Maldivian football clubs during the COVID-19 pandemic for personal property purchases. The loan was provided by FIFA to alleviate the financial strain on clubs during the crisis.

Police have requested the Prosecutor General’s Office to file an FIR against Bassam and several others involved, including Ameen Construction, the company that sold the apartments; Mohamed Ageel, former FAM finance head; and Hassan Waheed, who was working with the association at the time.

Bassam has been suspended by FIFA from all football activities following an investigation into fraud allegations. His passport was impounded by court order in December at the request of the Maldivian government, and it remains withheld until the conclusion of the trial.