Former Football Association of Maldives (FAM) President Bassam Adil Jaleel has requested a delay in handing over two apartments purchased at Amin Avenue in Hulhumale' to the police.

According to the police, the court had ordered Bassam to transfer ownership of the two apartments by today. The police had already initiated the necessary steps to take control of the properties.

In a message to the media, police stated that they received a letter from Bassam's lawyer requesting an extension until the end of the month to comply with the handover. The police are currently in the process of responding to the request.

At a press conference held on September 18 at Iskandar Koshi, Sub-Inspector Ahmed Sawadh from the Department of Economic Crime Investigation shared details of the case. He explained that FIFA had provided FAM with a USD 1.9 million loan to support football clubs during the financial strain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Of that amount, USD 1 million was paid to Amin Avenue.

Sawadh stated that police can confirm that this transaction involved USD 1,019,950 from the funds FIFA deposited to FAM on April 14, 2021, as part of the COVID relief loan, to Amin Construction Pvt Ltd."

The investigation has revealed that documents were prepared to indicate that the payment was made in local currency. Furthermore, the money was transferred through a company to suggest it was received legitimately. Sawadh added that the amounts recorded on the receipts issued by Amin Construction Pvt. Ltd. do not match the funds from the FIFA loan.

Sawadh confirmed that the police have requested the Prosecutor General's Office to file charges against three individuals and a company in connection with the case. The individuals involved include Bassam Adil Jaleel, Hassan Waheed (49), and Mohamed Agil (35). The police have also requested charges against Amin Construction Pvt. Ltd.

The charges against them include fraud, money laundering, and financial misconduct, according to Sawadh.