Luke Dimech's return to Maltese football has been dogged by controversy but the Malta international defender is now hoping that the Malta FA's ruling on his move to Birkirkara will put an end to all the speculation and the haggling between the clubs.
On Wednesday, the Malta FA Protests' Board rejected a protest filed by Hibs, who lost 1-0 to Birkirkara earlier this month, over Dimech's registration.
Before delivering its verdict, the Board took into consideration a letter by FIFA after MFA general secretary Joe Gauci had requested clarification from world football's governing body over Dimech's position.
News that the MFA Protests' Board did not uphold Hibernians' protest was greeted with jubilation by Birkirkara, joint-leaders in the Premier League with Sliema Wanderers on 26 points.
The 26-year-old Dimech, who opted to sign for Birkirkara after the termination of his contract with Irish Premier League club Shamrock Rovers, was delighted and relieved by the Protests' Board decision.
"Since my return to Maltese football, I have had to put up with a lot of speculation about the validity of my registration. It has not been easy for me to put aside all this talking about my move to Birkirkara but I knew from the outset that I was entitled to move back to Malta," Dimech told The Times yesterday.
"Hopefully, the MFA ruling will serve to dispel all the question marks about my transfer to Birkirkara."
Dimech has played three games for Birkirkara since he joined them towards the end of last month. Asked whether he found it hard to focus on his football during Birkirkara's recent games, he replied: "I did my utmost to concentrate on football but I must admit that it was a hard task. I am a Birkirkara player and I hope that people will leave me and the club in peace so that we can concentrate on our performances on the pitch rather than off it," the former Shamrock Rovers defender added.
The decision of the MFA Protests' Board regarding Dimech has been described by Birkirkara chairman Victor Zammit as "definitely a great victory for the club of Birkirkara".
It has certainly strengthened their resolve to maintain their title challenge but Dimech urged caution. "There are many games left. Our chances are good but we are not there yet. It will not be an easy trek, that's for sure. We have to take it game by game, do our best and hope to be on top by the end of the league," Dimech said.
Meanwhile, Zammit said in a statement that Wednesday's ruling is a "triumph of football justice with Luke Dimech".
"The administration of Birkirkara FC was never in doubt about the outcome of the protest and has been consistent in its conviction that the player Luke Dimech had every right to play football after his termination of contract with the Irish club. Certainly, Birkirkara has shown a great deal of professionalism and has emerged stronger than ever," Zammit maintained.
Describing the FIFA advice on this case as "loud and clear", the Birkirkara chairman called on the club's supporters "to remain calm and united and not allow any instigation from wherever this might come to disrupt the magical moment that the club is passing through."
Zammit also appealed for the spirit of Fair Play to prevail throughout the remainder of the Premier League.