The Maldives Police Service (MPS) has announced an extension to the deadline for the handover of two apartments in Hulhumale’ acquired by former President of the Football Association of Maldives (FAM) Bassam Adil Jaleel.
The MPS submitted the case to the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) in September, alleging that Bassam used funds provided by FIFA as aid for Maldivian football clubs during the COVID-19 pandemic to finance the apartment purchases. Although an initial deadline for handing over the properties was set, Bassam’s lawyers requested an extension, which has now been granted until this month.
In a statement to media outlets, the MPS confirmed that the extension was approved in response to the request. However, the MPS did not specify the reasons considered in the decision.
FIFA had allocated USD 1.9 million in loans to support football clubs impacted by the pandemic. The MPS has charged Bassam, along with three others, with misappropriating USD 1 million from this loan for the apartment purchases. Those charged include the owner of Amin Avenue, Amin Construction, FAM finance head Mohamed Agil, and Hassan Waheed.
The MPS allege that Bassam utilised FAM funds amounting to USD 200,789.80 to acquire the two apartments on Amin Avenue. Notably, FIFA has previously suspended Bassam for nine months due to allegations of misuse of FIFA funds.