Former Football Association of Maldives (FAM) President Bassam Adeel Jaleel, who is serving a nine-year prison sentence for embezzlement and money laundering, has filed a petition in the High Court claiming that his fraud case cannot be investigated without the consent of FIFA.  
The Criminal Court last month rejected Bassam’s defense that the case could not be heard without FIFA’s approval. He has now appealed the matter to the High Court, though the court has not yet decided whether to accept the case. According to the High Court registry, the petition was filed last week.  
Bassam is currently serving a total of nine years in prison, four years for embezzling FAM funds and five years for money laundering.  
The case against Bassam centers on allegations that he embezzled USD 1.2 million (over MVR 18 million) sent by FIFA to FAM. He has also been charged with treason and money laundering, with proceedings still ongoing in the lower court.  
The prosecution has also charged former FAM officials and Amin Construction in connection with the case. Evidence hearings are currently underway.  
Bassam Adil Jaleel, former FAM president, attends a hearing online from jail on charges of embezzling FIFA funds, October 30, 2025.
Bassam’s legal team argues that the funds in question were FIFA’s money, and therefore only FIFA has the authority to investigate or authorize proceedings. His lawyers maintain that national agencies cannot intervene in matters governed by FIFA statutes.  
While attending trial sessions online from jail, Bassam reiterated that FAM’s affairs are strictly monitored by FIFA and warned that third-party interference could lead to sanctions. He noted that FIFA has previously suspended member associations for violating its rules.  
The prosecution countered that while FIFA has the authority to impose disciplinary measures such as suspensions from football activities, criminal acts fall under the jurisdiction of Maldivian law enforcement. They argued that local authorities have the right to investigate and prosecute alleged financial crimes.