Despite ongoing concerns about conflicts of interest, a member of the Football Association of Maldives (FAM) Executive Committee (ExCo) has once again been appointed as the national football team manager.
Ahmed Abbas (Abbu), an ExCo member, has reportedly been named the team manager, according to Mihaaru News, although the appointment has not been publicly announced.
This isn’t the first time such an appointment has raised eyebrows. During Bassam Adeel Jaleel’s presidency at FAM, Abdulla Shibau, who was then both Deputy Secretary General and Club Licensing Manager of FAM, was appointed as national team manager—while also serving on the ExCo.
A football administrative management expert told Mihaaru News that the dual role of ExCo member and national team manager inherently creates a conflict of interest. Since all officials within the association are accountable to the ExCo, it is problematic for an ExCo member to hold a position that should be accountable to the same committee.
“Even the Asian Football Confederation’s framework acknowledges that the national football team manager holds a very strategic role and must be accountable to the ExCo,” the expert said. “I don’t understand how an ExCo member serving as national team manager, or vice versa, can be held accountable by the ExCo.”
Currently, the Maldives national football team is being coached by Mohamed Shiyaz (Mohan) in preparation for two upcoming friendly matches against Sri Lanka. These matches are part of the South Asian Super Cup, with the first game scheduled for this Saturday and the second next Tuesday. Both matches will take place at Colombo’s Racecourse Stadium.
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