Maldives Football Chief Suspended Amid Major Corruption Probe

Football Association of Maldives president Bassam Adeel Jaleel has been provisionally suspended for nine months due to an investigation into allegations of money laundering, embezzlement, and corruption. FIFA initiated this decision following an inquiry by the Prosecutor General's Office of Maldives involving misuse of FIFA funds.

Football Association of Maldives (FAM) president Bassam Adeel Jaleel has been provisionally suspended for nine months amid an investigation into allegations of money laundering, embezzlement and corruption, FIFA said on Thursday. FIFA took the decision after the Prosecutor General's Office of Maldives had investigated Jaleel and initiated proceedings after a search of the FAM office in October.

World soccer's governing body said the criminal offences also involved the use of FIFA funds by FAM officials, prompting the investigatory chamber to open formal investigation proceedings against Jaleel. The possible violations of FIFA's code of ethics include conflicts of interest, offering and accepting gifts and other benefits, as well as the misappropriation and misuse of funds.

FAM officials did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

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