On Thursday, the Civil Court granted both parties a week to reach a settlement in the lawsuit initiated by former national football team player Ibrahim Fazeel (Oppo)’s company against the Football Association of Maldives (FAM), which is refusing to leave a warehouse at Maafannu Stadium.

This is the lawsuit submitted by Oppo's company in the Civil Court following FAM's repeated demands for the company to leave what it claims is a unlawfully constructed warehouse on land designated for the association at Maafannu Stadium.

The hearing regarding the interim order requested by Oppo commenced on Thursday, during which the Civil Court allowed a week for both sides to seek a resolution. Chief Judge Maryam Waheed stated that if a resolution is not achieved during that timeframe, a determination will be made regarding the interim order.

Future Homes Pvt Ltd, Oppo's company, initiated the lawsuit following the decision of the FAM executive committee to pursue legal measures against the company for failing to empty the warehouse. It is known that FAM had requested the company to leave the land multiple times prior to making that choice. Nonetheless, the firm declined to leave the property and ultimately initiated legal action against FAM.

Ibrahim Fazeel (Oppo), ex-Maldivian soccer legend (blue kit). (Facebook Image/New Radiant Sports Club)

Via the lawsuit, the company aimed to obtain an order that stops FAM from leaving the land until the case concludes. Furthermore, Oppo has requested the Civil Court to establish that the company is eligible for damages compensation.

FAM reports that Oppo’s company constructed the warehouse on land designated by the government for the association, located within the Maafannu Stadium area, for 50 years starting in 2017 to manage FIFA Forward projects. Future Homes Pvt Ltd, which built the warehouse in the stadium-designated area, has consistently opposed leaving the land, FAM stated.

FAM reported that Oppo constructed a two-level warehouse on 2,700 square feet of property at Maafannu Stadium. The warehouse was rented for 25 years at no cost. FAM stated that the company disbursed MVR 1.8 million to the association for cleaning the area, but no contract was established regarding the MVR 1.8 million payment.

FAM additionally stated that the 2,700-square-foot structure was built lacking any authorization or approved plans from the Ministry of Construction and Infrastructure or the Male' City Council.