Caruana Curran poised to stand for Malta FA presidential election

Joe Caruana Curran is expected to stand for the election for the presidency of the Malta FA.

Speculation that Caruana Curran, the former president of Valletta FC, will propose himself as a candidate for the MFA presidential election, to be held during the association's annual general meeting scheduled for Saturday, July 31, has been rife since the turn of the year.

Sources yesterday told The Sunday Times that after a long consultation process with different stakeholders in the local game, Caruana Curran has decided to run for the top job in Maltese football.

It is believed that Caruana Curran has been working closely with a team of influential persons in local football circles for the past few weeks.

According to sources, calls for Caruana Curran to stand for election have intensified in the light of reports that the Premier League clubs are about to be hit by a Lm250 fee for every league match they play at the National Stadium, Ta' Qali.

Contacted yesterday, Caruana Curran, who steered Valletta to a staggering total of 31 domestic honours during his 18-year tenure as president, would neither confirm nor deny reports about his intentions to contest the election.

Caruana Curran had exited the local football scene at the start of last season when he resigned from Valletta FC soon after he was re-elected to the club's committee.

Last month, growing rumours that Caruana Curran was planning to stand for the election of a new Valletta committee proved unfounded. Yet, his decision not to return to club management was viewed as a strong indication of Caruana Curran's intentions to contest the MFA presidency.

The MFA's top post has been held by Joe Mifsud for the past 12 years. If Dr Mifsud, re-elected to the UEFA Executive Committee for a reduced two-year term in April, decides to seek a re-election, it will be the first time in 12 years that he will face a challenge from another candidate, provided that Caruana Curran presses ahead with his nomination.

At this year's MFA annual general meeting, elections will also be held for the three posts of vice-presidents as well as that of treasurer. Elected candidates will serve for a three-year term.