FIFA bans former Maldives and Montserrat football officials for life

FIFA has imposed severe sanctions on former football association officials from the Maldives and Montserrat for violations related to the misuse of the organization's financial resources.

Bassam Adeel Jaleel, the former president of the Football Association of Maldives, has been banned for life from all football-related activities and fined one million Swiss francs. According to local media, he is currently serving a prison sentence related to money laundering of funds received from FIFA. Mohamed Aqeel, the former financial director of the Maldives federation, received a 10-year ban and a 100,000 Swiss franc fine.

Similar sanctions were applied to former officials of the Montserrat Football Association. Former president Vincent Cassell received a lifetime ban for misuse of FIFA funds and abuse of his position, alongside a one million Swiss franc fine. Former general secretary Tandik Hughes was banned for 15 years and fined 150,000 Swiss francs for facilitating illegal operations involving FIFA resources.