Ahmed “Dunga” Shareef has been appointed the acting Technical Director of the Football Association of Maldives (FAM).

The announcement comes after the dismissal of English former footballer and coach, Judan Ali, who was appointed to the post in December 2019.

FAM’s General Secretary Hussain Jawaz told RaajjeMV that they made the decision to dismiss Judan from the post as part of its cost-cutting measures due to Covid-19.

Judan is to have refused to accept a salary cut.

RaajjeMV understands that Judan had been receiving a USD 9,000 pay through a sponsorship. While FAM had discussed to reduce this to USD 4,500 amid the pandemic, it decided to remove him as technical director due to the time being taken to reach an understanding.

Jawaz has since confirmed Shareef’s appointment as interim Technical Director.

He added that there are no ongoing discussions to permanently fill the post.

Shareef, who has FIFA and AFC instructor licenses, runs an football academy called the “Dunga Football Academy” in southernmost Addu City.