Norman Darmanin Demajo is the new president of the Malta FA.

Ten years after his bitter feud with Joe Mifsud precipitated his exit from the local governing body of football, Darmanin Demajo made a triumphant return yesterday after he defeated his nemesis in emphatic fashion, polling a staggering 77 votes to Dr Mifsud’s 31.

“I don’t know what to say, I’m so delighted,” an elated Darmanin Demajo told reporters outside the Centenary Hall after his rise to the top post of Maltese football had been confirmed.

As soon as Darmanin Demajo stepped out of the car on his return to the venue of yesterday’s annual general meeting, he was mobbed by his supporters who gathered outside the Centenary Hall in the hours leading up to the election.

Amid shouts of ‘king’ and ‘champion’, Darmanin Demajo, who narrowly lost to Dr Mifsud in the race for the MFA presidency three years ago, and Bjorn Vassallo, his right-hand man, were carried shoulder high.

As the meeting drew to a close, the members of the local football family had a moment to savour.

After a vitriolic campaign in which the two presidential candidates traded allegations, Dr Mifsud shook hands with Darmanin Demajo after inviting the latter to address the assembly.

“It’s been a long and important day for Maltese football,” Darmanin Demajo, who has been elected for a three-year term, said.

“Obviously, when there’s an election, our family becomes divided because there is a divergence of opinions. Now, it’s very important that this result is accepted. This is what democracy is all about and the MFA is a democratic organisation.

“I want to thank Dr Mifsud for his contribution to the MFA. At the same time, my wish is that all of you unite behind the programme that has been chosen. I’m here to serve football and I’m prepared for this challenge. You all know what’s in my programme... I’m willing to give more support to the clubs.

“I’m also convinced that Dr Mifsud, in his capacity as UEFA vice-president, will continue to work for the benefit of Maltese football.”

While Darmanin Demajo’s election heralds the start of a new era, Dr Mifsud’s defeat brought the curtains down on his 18-year tenure at the helm.

“Earlier in the meeting, you decided that I should not continue as president and elected Mr Darmanin Demajo to serve in this post. This is the democracy of the MFA and I’m the first to bow to the wishes of the members.

“I can’t say I’m not disappointed about the result because everyone enters a contest with the aim of winning. That said, I have to admit that a big weight has been taken off my shoulders. So, this counter-balances my upset.

Strong legacy

“I’m pleased to leave a strong legacy that has been built over 28 years since I first became MFA vice-president.

“The association is in a strong financial position and it’s well-organised. On the whole, I genuinely think that in this small country, the MFA, one of the tiniest associations in Europe, has made great progress.

“I want to thank all those who, throughout the years, co-operated and helped me during my term as president, especially in difficult times. I augur that the MFA continues to move forward.

“I can never turn against the association because I’ve given everything to it. I’m sorry if there were occasions when I irked certain people. It’s my duty now to invite Norman Darmanin Demajo to the stage as I’m sure he would like to address you.”

The atmosphere during the meeting had been calm but with hordes of journalists, TV crews and photographers roaming around the hall, it was clear that this was no ordinary event.

It was around 12.42 p.m. that Dr Mifsud made the long-awaited announcement that the election of MFA president was the next item on the agenda.

At this juncture, Dr Mifsud left the packed hall along with the other top MFA officials as the members of the electoral commission took charge of the proceedings. Darmanin Demajo and Antoine Portelli, the other two candidates for the posts of president and treasurer respectively, also made their way out of the hall.

Stefan Vella, chairman of the electoral commission, reminded the assembly that, according to MFA regulations, Dr Mifsud would continue to chair the meeting, regardless of the outcome of the vote.

Of the 109 eligible voters, only one council member failed to turn up.

The level of expectancy increased as Vella began to read out the preferences of the voters.

Forecasts of a comprehensive victory for Darmanin Demajo were vindicated as the former Valletta FC and Malta midfielder immediately established a clear advantage over his rival.

With Darmanin Demajo 7-3 ahead after the first 10 votes had been unveiled, the gap widened to 16 points, 22-6. The pattern remained unaltered.

Dr Mifsud’s chances of hanging on to his seat all but vanished as Darmanin Demajo moved to within a few votes of the 55-point threshold, 51-22. Confirmation of Darmanin Demajo’s ascent to the top post in Maltese football was not long in coming, much to the delight of his backers who jumped out of their seats in jubilation when their candidate surged into an unassailable lead.

After Vella confirmed the outcome of the vote, a subdued Dr Mifsud made a brief re-appearance in the hall.

Having acknowledged defeat with dignity, he told the assembly that the AGM would proceed with the elections for the other top MFA posts and those of the members of the Executive Committee.

Manfré elected

The election of the vice-presidents ensued. The candidates for these three posts were Carmelo Bartolo, Peter Fenech, Alex Manfré and Ludovico Micallef.

Manfré, who had been the association’s treasurer for several years, topped the voting with 78 preferences, one more than Bartolo, the long-serving senior vice-president.

Micallef was also re-elected after collecting 67 points but not Dr Fenech who lost his seat after only one term in office. Dr Fenech obtained 52 votes.

The election of Manfré as vice-president was widely perceived as another vote of no-confidence in Dr Mifsud after the latter lambasted the former Sliema Wanderers FC official during the last council meeting.

“I was hurt by Dr Mifsud’s attitude in the last few weeks but his statement served to strengthen my relations with the clubs,” Manfré said.

Portelli’s prediction that the outcome of the ballot for MFA treasurer would hinge on the presidential election was spot-on.

No sooner had the result of the election of the three MFA vice-presidents been announced that Paul Bugeja and Manfré, the other two nominees for the post of treasurer, withdrew their candidature, leaving the way clear for Portelli.

Meanwhile, Hibs official Jesmond Abela and Joseph Gauci, the senior vice-president of Birkirkara FC, earned the members’ backing to represent the Premier League clubs on the Executive Committee.

Gauci gathered 67 votes, 12 more than Abela. Valletta’s Paul Spiteri (38), Ħamrun Spartans official Victor Cassar (19) and Tarxien’s John Vella (18) were the other contenders for the two Premier League posts.

Charles J. Scerri (Lija) and Joseph Sammut (Pietá) were uncontested for the two posts in representation of Division One clubs.

Bjorn Vassallo (San Ġwann) and Tyrone Demanuele (Gzira) took the two seats allocated to council members of Division Two clubs. John Farrugia, of Żurrieq FC, pulled out of the race.

There was also no need to hold an election for the two roles reserved for members representing Division Three clubs as Joseph Farrugia (Kirkop) and Raymond Micallef (Attard) were unopposed.

Donald Spiteri (IASC) and Joseph Cassar Naudi (Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association) retained their seat after receiving another mandate to represent the member associations. Spiteri, who also forms part of the national teams’ medical staff, gained 73 votes and Cassar Naudi 54.

The final two posts on the Executive Committee for the period 2010-11 were reserved for council members in representation of clubs in general. Spiteri, of Valletta, and Vella, the Tarxien official, were elected to fill these two roles after receiving 51 and 41 votes respectively.

Joe Micallef and Charles Calleja will continue to fly the flag of the Youth FA and the Gozo FC on the Executive Committee respectively.