Football Association of Maldives (FAM) President, Bassam Adeel Jaleel has released a statement indicating to give the rights of clubs and players. Bassam has said that clubs and players are facing great difficulties, due to the halted football league and to give the permission to resume the league soon.
The Dhiraagu Dhivehi Premier League (DDPL) was halted in 3rd February while playing the second round of the league. The league was halted due to HPA’s new set of guidelines to control the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in greater Male’ area.
Due to the suspensions of DDPL, all club officials and players have expressed their displeasure. The clubs and players are facing great loss on financial due to temporally delay of the league. After many discussions, HPA has set new guidelines to start practice of the clubs.
FAM President Bassam Adeel Jaleel has said that FAM has conducted meeting with Government, Health Ministry, Youth Ministry and HPA to discussed the current situation of Maldives football. However, still there isn’t a proper solution for the current situation.
Bassam also mentioned that even in the Covid-19 situation, under the new normal; people have resumed working in accordance to the set guidelines and the same option must be given to footballers as this is also an occupation for most of the players.
While the DDPL is halted, Maldivian two teams are competing in AFC cup. Eagles Club will play in AFC cup qualifying in next month while Maziya Sports and Recreation will compete in AFC Cup in May 2021. Due to the temporary delay of the DDPL, these two clubs will face the biggest loss.
Bassam said that while the players and clubs are following HPA’s guidelines and it wasn’t necessary to stop the league. He also noted that due to the temporary delay of the league, Maldives football will face the great loss to develop, which was never faced before. Bassam remarked that Maldives clubs may have to face the AFC cup without enough preparations.
