PM warns athletes ‘must face sanctions’ amid water polo betting scandal

The Prime Minister has warned athletes who fail to respect the integrity of sports must face the consequences, as a betting scandal rocked Malta’s water polo community.

Robert Abela was answering questions amid what has been described as the biggest scandal to hit Malta’s sporting history following revelations of betting activity involving water polo players and individuals connected to the national team and domestic clubs.

“If there are individuals who fail to uphold the integrity of sport, then there are sanctions they need to answer to,” Abela said.

He said the government was aware that the higher stakes that resulted from its investment in sports make it “more likely” that issues such as match fixing would be amplified.  

“This is why we have invested heavily in the Authority for Integrity in Maltese Sports, both in terms of human resources and, secondly, new premises.”

On Wednesday, the Aquatic Sports Association said it had opened an investigation into “potential integrity breaches” involving several national water polo players.

Times of Malta has revealed that as many as 15 individuals are implicated.

Among those identified in the Malta Gaming Authority’s initial report are six national team players, together with other individuals connected to several clubs, mainly San Ġiljan and Sliema. The investigation also involves a youth team coach. 

One San Ġiljan player is believed to have placed bets totalling more than €22,000, with others wagering significantly smaller amounts. 

Sports Minister Clifton Grima said he was “concerned and saddened” by the potential reputational damage of the scandal.

“When there is a story that casts a bad light on this sport, or any sport, that concerns and saddens me, as someone who has worked hand in hand with the association and clubs,” Grima said. 

The minister said that as soon as the allegations surfaced, the authorities carried out investigations, the findings of which are now in the hands of both the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta (ASA) and the European Aquatics, the European governing body for aquatic sports. 

“We now need to wait for the decision of the international governing body regarding the players and officials who were named in the reports.” 

Grima said the scandal showed that a greater emphasis needs to be put on educating young athletes on the rules and regulations of sports, as well as the dangers of betting.  

“Anyone who practices a sport should know the rules. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse,” he said.

The minister added that the Authority for Maltese Sport (AIMS) plays a key role in going to sports clubs and nurseries and educating youngsters on their responsibilities when it comes to betting, doping and other issues surrounding sports integrity, and that he would offer all the support necessary to facilitate this initiative.