The Malta FA yesterday withdrew the match-fixing charges against Xewkija Tigers FC player Peter Buttigieg following further investigations by the association’s Prosecuting Officer.

Earlier this month, Buttigieg was banned temporarily as the Malta FA launched a probe into a match-fixing case that cast a shadow over the top-of-the-table clash between Xewkija and Nadur Youngsters in the Gozitan league, played on February 7.

Yesterday, the Malta FA announced that Buttigieg’s suspension has been lifted.

The Malta FA also added that its officials or employees will not comment further on this case until the full process of investigations is completed.

On March 14, Nadur Youngsters FC secretary Anthony Sam Portelli was also charged by the Malta FA over his alleged involvement in the same match-fixing case.

Portelli and George Joseph Sultana were arraigned in court in February. Both were sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for two years, and fined €1,165, after pleading guilty to trying to influence the result of the GFA Division One match.