This change up was brought after two players had already been selected on the 14th April and were already undergoing training. The players previously selected by the board of Maldivian Swimming Association, was Aishath Saushan and Ali Im’aan. The two players will now be replaced by Aishath Saajina and Mubaal Azzam Ibrahim as per FINA.
Maldives Swimming Association has given a statement on this recent incident stating that they had followed all the rules and guidelines given by FIFA on 14th April, when the announcement was made to register players. Such last-minute changes are very crucial, specially in such a big platform for sports.
After the change, the player to compete in the 100-meter freestyle event would be Mubaal Azzam Ibrahim. And Saajina will be competing in 200-meter breaststroke event.