Ruling party aligned Channel 13 has been forced to issue a formal apology following an 'unprofessional' report on Maldives football superstar Ali 'Dhagandey' Ashfaq.

The report published and aired on Saturday posed various allegations against Ashfaq, with the public deeming it as an attempt to 'defame' him.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the station claimed that the report was information shared by a third party and that it had asked them to provide proof of the allegations against Ashfaq 'following public outrage'.

Noting that they were 'unable to do so', Channel 13 said both the written and video reports were immediately removed from its website and broadcast.

The station apologized to Ashfaq and the 'football family' after noting that it had failed to fulfill its responsibilities in publishing the report. It added that this is not the best time to release such a report as well.

It further said that action has been taken over the matter 'as per the station's regulations', and assured to be more 'responsible' in the future.

Channel 13's slanderous report on Ashfaq was immediately condemned, not just by the public but also senior officials of the sports community including the Secretary General of Maldives Olympic Committee, Ahmed Marzooq.

Marzooq had played a major role in ensuring that the station issued a formal apology.

Those that criticized Channel 13's report described Ashfaq as a 'national treasure' and said that such a report was 'uncalled for'.