FAM to hold congress next month to amend its constitution

Football Association of Maldives (FAM) will hold a congress next month to amend its constitution, a key step required by FIFA’s Normalization Committee before new elections can take place.

While the exact date has not yet been confirmed, a FAM official said discussions are ongoing with FIFA regarding the congress to be held to amend the constitution. The committee’s one-year mandate set by FIFA expires on 23 July.

If the reforms and subsequent elections are not completed before then, FAM risks facing suspension from world football’s governing body.

The upcoming congress follows a troubled attempt last month to convene a general meeting, which was boycotted by five first division clubs. That congress, intended to appoint members to internal audit committees, barely met quorum.

However, several of the same clubs did attend a later meeting on constitutional reforms.

Concerns were raised during that session over the draft constitution proposed by FIFA, with some clubs criticizing it for favoring clubs based in Male' region. One club official said there were still unresolved questions over which clubs are eligible to participate in the congress.

A larger FIFA delegation than previously seen is expected to attend next month’s congress, the FAM official said.

FIFA has also instructed FAM to delay the start of this year’s football season. In a memo sent to clubs, FAM said the decision was made in order to prioritize the revision of the constitution and the remaining tasks of the Normalization Committee.