Malta FA president warns clubs against corrupt practices

Maltese football clubs have been warned of hefty sanctions if they get embroiled in bribery scandals. The warning was made by Joe Mifsud, the Malta FA president, at a news conference yesterday during which he confirmed that the MFA Board to Investigate Corrupt Practices had found Division Two club Qormi FC guilty of offering a bribe to a Zebbug Rangers player.

"This case proves that the MFA takes firm action when it has substantial evidence that its regulations have been breached," Dr Mifsud said.

"The MFA will take the same course of action against any club found guilty of similar offences."

The case, which led to two former Qormi FC committee members being handed a one-year jail term suspended for four years last October after they pleaded guilty to offering a bribe to an unnamed Zebbug player, was thoroughly probed by the Board to Investigate Corrupt Practices.

Mifsud said that the irresponsible behaviour of two former members of the club committee left Qormi FC liable to penalties.

At the conclusion of its long inquest, the Board ordered Qormi's immediate suspension. The club have also been demoted to Division Three as from the start of next season and fined Lm1,500.

The two officials convicted of the crime were banned for life by the MFA. A third committee member investigated by the Board was acquitted on the grounds of insufficient evidence.

Qormi, who have already filed their intention to appeal, have until Monday, February 17 to do so.

If Qormi fail to lodge an appeal within the stipulated time frame, the suspension imposed by the Board will come into force immediately.

Leagues' reform discussed

Meanwhile, Dr Mifsud also confirmed that the Malta FA and its clubs have had discussions on new proposals to reform the national leagues.

While reiterating his view that the current Premier League format - the top six going into the Championship Pool and the bottom four making up the Relegation Pool at the end of the first two rounds - is contributing to maintaining the fans' interest till the very end of the campaign, Dr Mifsud said that the Malta FA is always looking for a more-appealing blueprint for local leagues.

The Malta FA head said that at a meeting of the executive committee, a proposal was agreed upon before it was put for discussion with representatives of all 48 clubs affiliated to the MFA in two separate meetings .

In a nutshell, the proposal suggested the following: Premier League - eight clubs, Division One and Division Two - 12 clubs each, Division Three - 10 clubs, Division Four (new) six clubs.

"From a technical point-of-view, we think that a Premier League with eight teams would enhance the element of competitiveness. Our idea is to have the Premier League played on four rounds at two venues, the National Stadium and the Hibs Ground.

"Obviously, we wanted to discuss this proposals with the stakeholders, the clubs. We also have to bear in mind that any decision to reform the Premier League would also affect the other leagues," Mifsud said.

Dr Mifsud insisted that the MFA and clubs are still in the process of discussing the proposed reforms, which will now be thoroughly evaluated by the Malta FA council. No decision has yet been made.

According to the MFA president, the clubs in the Premier League and Division One were more sceptical about the proposed changes. Their counterparts in the remaining two divisions had shown more positive feedback.

The idea of reverting to the previous format of a three-round, 10-team Premier League has also been suggested to the MFA but Dr Mifsud believes that this system is far less attractive than the present one.

In order to get the public's perspective on Maltese football, the Malta FA has also commissioned a professional survey by an independent research agency.