FIFA has imposed a lifetime ban on former Football Association of Maldives (FAM) President Bassam Adeel Jaleel, preventing him from taking part in any football-related activities, over the misuse of FIFA funds.
The decision was announced by FIFA’s Independent Ethics Committee today, in a major development stemming from an investigation that began more than two years ago.
FIFA said Bassam was sanctioned for misusing funds provided through FIFA’s COVID-19 Relief Plan for his personal benefit. He has also been ordered to pay a fine of CHF 1 million, approximately US$1.23 million.
According to Reuters, the investigation found that FIFA money had been deposited into Bassam’s personal account and that funds intended for football development were used to purchase an apartment.
The FIFA decision also targeted former FAM Director of Finance and Administration Mohamed Ageel, who has been banned from all football-related activities for 10 years and fined CHF 100,000.
FIFA said Ageel was sanctioned for facilitating and concealing the misuse of FIFA funds, using falsified documentation and failing to cooperate with FIFA’s Independent Ethics Committee.
From suspension to lifetime ban
The latest FIFA decision follows an investigation that became public in June 2024.
On June 20, 2024, FIFA announced that its Independent Ethics Committee had provisionally suspended Bassam for nine months while investigating allegations including money laundering, embezzlement and corruption.
At the time, FIFA said its investigation followed proceedings by the Maldives Prosecutor General’s Office and allegations concerning the misuse of FIFA funds by officials of the Football Association of Maldives.
The possible violations under investigation included conflicts of interest, the offering and acceptance of gifts or other benefits, and the misappropriation and misuse of funds.
Reuters reported in 2024 that the Maldives Prosecutor General’s Office had opened proceedings after a search of the FAM office in October, with FIFA subsequently opening its own formal proceedings.
More than two years later, the investigation has now resulted in the strongest possible football-related sanction against Bassam.
FIFA’s decision
Under Friday’s decision, Bassam is permanently barred from participating in football-related activities and must pay the CHF 1 million fine.
Reuters reported that Bassam could not immediately be reached for comment. Reuters also reported that he is serving prison sentences in the Maldives connected to the misuse of FIFA funds and other cases.
The FIFA ruling is separate from the criminal proceedings and punishments imposed under Maldivian law. FIFA’s action concerns violations of its own Code of Ethics and Bassam’s conduct in relation to football funds.
The case marks a major conclusion to FIFA’s disciplinary proceedings against the former FAM president, who led the Maldives football body before the allegations and investigation brought his tenure to an end.
