FAM Elections postponed again

Ahmed Niyaz raises questions to the election committee and the FAM executive committee (MSPhoto: Hussain Sinan)

Male', MALDIVES - The executive committee of Football Association of Maldives (FAM) has decided to postpone the elections for the second time. The elections was first postponed on 18th July regarding United Victory's voting legitimacy. Today, the elections was brought to a disrupt after, Ahmed Niyaz, Ali Shameem and Madhih Ismail brought the elections to halt claiming that FIFA and AFC officials met with suspended VB Addu FC board member Shaveedh with FAM executive committee to decide the voting right of United Victory. FIFA will decide the proceeding of the postponed elections.

FIFA and AFC delegates met with the elections committee after the elections was brought to a halt. But a decision was not finalised during the meeting.

FAM executive committee met after the meeting and the decision to postpone the elections was made. The head of the Members Association of the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) Primo Corvaro said that the decision regarding FAM elections will be made by higher authorities of FIFA.

Football Association of Maldives president, Ali Azim said that it was another sad day for the football of Maldives and these incidents will damage the image of football in the Maldives.

FIFA and AFC delegates

11:26 He said that there could be an interim committee to take care of the election. But he said that its not up to them to decide it.

11:25: FIFA Official said that they had several meetings with stakeholders yesterday.

11:23: FIFA Official speaking. He said that the problems havent been solved so far.

11:22: Azim just announced that ExCo has decided to postponed until further notice

11:21 Congress postponed.

11:15: Press conference just started.

1110: FAM executive committee meeting has started to decide regarding FAM elections. FAM secretary general Shah Ismail said that there will be a press conference after the executive committee meeting.

1102: Second division preliminary elections is scheduled at 1100hrs. However, it is believed that second division will proceed after third division elections finish.

1101: Elections committee officials, FIFA/AFC observers and FAM president are in the meeting room of FAM House.

1054: Speaking to maldivesoccer.com VB Addu member, Shaveedh said in the meeting with FIFA/AFC observers and FAM executive committee with Shaveedh, the decision was to host the elections with all the divisions. He also added that they did not agree to omit the voting rights of any division clubs.

1045: According to confirm reports, during the meeting last night with VB official, Shaveedh and FIFA officials and FAM executive committee, Shaveedh proposed to continue with the elections even with the disruptions. If there is disruptions, to cancel the voting rights of those members who bring disruption. According to the reports, it is believed that the elections will proceed after cancelling the third division voting rights.

1039: According to unconfirmed reports from inside the elections hall, FIFA officials made the decision to ommit the voting rights of United Victory after making a phone call to the registered delegate by United Victory.

1037: FIFA and AFC officials leave the elections hall. One of the elections committee member is not present.

1031: The three members who brought the elections to a hault is saying that FIFA officials cannot meet with a suspended person and FIFA is an observer, not a decision maker.

1025: Elections Committee members are asking the three members who disrupted to leave the elections hall. Ali Azim is also in the discussion with the FIFA and elections commitee.

1024: The meeting with election committee officials and FIFA officials are ongoing. No improvements.

1015: FAM election committee have a meeting with FIFA and AFC officials. The members are still raising their arguments.

1010: The three members who brought the elections to a halt is claiming that Shaveedh cannot meet with FIFA officials without the election committee and finalise a decision regarding FAM elections.

1000: The elections is again brought to a halt after the three members of third division refused to carry on with the problems. Media are outside the meeting hall. The verbal disagreements are still going on inside the election hall.

0955: FAM president Ali Azim has asked the media to leave the FAM elections hall. All media are outside.

0950: Ahmed Niyaz, Ali Shameem and Madhih Ismail has disrupted the FAM elections claiming that suspended VB Addu FC board member Shaveedh met with FIFA delegate late last night. They said FIFA delegate should not meet with one specific person late night and to that suspended delegate. They said the cancellation of United Victory vote has lost the rights of them.

0940: Congress just commenced. President Ali Azim chairing the congress.

Welcome to the live coverage of the Football Association of Maldives (FAM) elections and 5th Congress coverage. The elections which was initally held on 18th July over the dispute of United Victory voting rights. United Victory is believed to be boycotting today's elections claiming that it is biased.

The preliminary voting of 3rd division, to finalise the two clubs who will vote in the elections will be held at 0930hrs. The preliminary voting for 2nd division clubs to finalise the three clubs who will vote in the elections will be held at 1100hrs. The final voting will be held at 1400hrs in Social Center.