The Maldives are set for a demanding international programme this month, with the national team scheduled to face China, Kyrgyzstan and Lebanon as they step up preparations for their upcoming competitive campaign.

The Maldives will first take on China on 24 September, before travelling to Bishkek for matches against Kyrgyzstan on 28 September and Lebanon on 1 October.

The China match will provide the Maldives with an opportunity to test themselves against one of Asia’s more established football nations. It will be a particularly demanding examination of the team’s defensive organisation, midfield discipline and ability to create opportunities against stronger opposition.

The fixture comes as the Maldives prepare for the SAFF Championship in Bangladesh in November, where they have been drawn in a group with India and Pakistan.

The three matches offer Urbányi an opportunity to identify his strongest combination of players before the team’s next competitive challenges.

For the Maldives, the objective will be to emerge from the international window with greater tactical clarity, improved squad depth and confidence ahead of the SAFF Championship and Asian Cup qualifying campaign.

The decision marks the latest development in a long-running financial misconduct case involving the former FAM president, who had previously been provisionally suspended by FIFA while its independent ethics bodies investigated allegations of financial wrongdoing.

According to FIFA, Jaleel was sanctioned for “misusing FIFA COVID-19 Relief Plan funds for his personal benefit.” The relief programme was established during the COVID-19 pandemic to help football associations around the world deal with the severe financial impact of the crisis.

FIFA announced during the pandemic that it would make significant financial assistance available to member associations, including grants and loans, to help protect football operations and support clubs and other stakeholders affected by the disruption caused by COVID-19.

The case involving Jaleel centres on money provided to Maldivian football under that relief programme.

Maldivian authorities had separately investigated allegations surrounding the use of approximately US$1.2 million in FIFA COVID-19 relief funding. Local reporting has said the money was intended to support football activities and clubs but was instead used in connection with the purchase of two penthouse apartments in Malé.

Jaleel’s FIFA case followed a wider financial investigation in the Maldives.

In June 2024, FIFA’s Independent Ethics Committee provisionally suspended Jaleel from taking part in any football-related activity while an investigation into allegations including money laundering, embezzlement and corruption was under way. 

The suspension effectively prevented Jaleel from continuing to participate in football administration while FIFA’s disciplinary process was being conducted.

The allegations were also investigated by Maldivian authorities. The Criminal Court subsequently found Jaleel guilty in a case involving the embezzlement of approximately US$1.2 million in FIFA-provided COVID-19 relief funds, along with other financial offences, according to local reports. 

The criminal proceedings and the FIFA ethics case are separate processes, with FIFA applying its own regulations and disciplinary framework to conduct involving football officials.

From FAM president to lifetime ban

Former Football Association of Maldives (FAM) president Bassam Adeel Jaleel has been banned for life from football-related activities by world governing body FIFA.

FIFA said Jaleel was sanctioned for misusing COVID-19 relief funds for his personal benefit.

He has also been fined CHF 1m ($1.23m; £960,000).

Jaleel had previously been provisionally suspended by FIFA while its ethics committee investigated allegations including money laundering, embezzlement and corruption.

The case centres on FIFA funds provided to support football in the Maldives during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Jaleel, who served as FAM president from 2016, has faced scrutiny over the handling of football association finances. Maldivian authorities have also investigated allegations concerning the use of FIFA relief funds.

FIFA’s lifetime ban prevents Jaleel from participating in football-related activities under its jurisdiction.

The sanction is one of the strongest disciplinary measures available to FIFA and brings a major international sporting penalty against a former head of Maldivian football.

Maziya Sports and Recreation Club began their Dhivehi Premier League campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Odi Sports Club, earning three points in a closely contested opening fixture at Galolhu Stadium.

The defending champions made the decisive breakthrough in a match in which both sides struggled to create clear-cut opportunities, with Maziya’s greater experience ultimately proving enough to secure the win.

The result gives Maziya an early advantage in the title race, while Odi are left to reflect on a disciplined performance that yielded no reward.

Maziya, who have established themselves as one of the dominant forces in Maldivian football, entered the match as favourites.