Sliema to face FC Skonto at the Hibs Ground
Arrigo promises installation of new seats at Corradino
Sliema Wanderers have received UEFA's nod to host the first leg of their Champions League match against FC Skonto at the Hibernians Ground.
John Bugeja, secretary of Sliema Wanderers, told The Times that their request to stage the game at the Hibernians Ground has been accepted by UEFA.
News that Sliema's home leg will take place at the Hibernians Ground ends the uncertainty and speculation surrounding the location of the first leg of the Wanderers' Champions League encounter with the Latvian champions.
Until Tuesday evening, the venue of the match had not been confirmed as Sliema were still searching for an alternative to the National Stadium.
Sliema were deadset against playing at the National Stadium after the Malta FA meted out a Lm5,000 fee for clubs using the ground for the Champions League.
In an unprecedented move, Sliema had proposed that both legs take place in Latvia but were forced to revise their plans after consulting UEFA. On Tuesday, Sliema had their work cut out as they formalised their proposal to play at the Hibernians Ground.
Robert Arrigo, president of Sliema Wanderers, told The Times that new seats will be installed at the Hibernians Ground before their match against FC Skonto. Arrigo said that around 2,000 new seats have been ordered from a UK firm at the price of £3.90 each. The seats should be in Malta within a week or so.
"We have done everything possible to give the local sporting public the opportunity to watch our team play in the Champions League in Malta, without the club having to bear extra costs to play at home," Arrigo said.
On Tuesday, Bugeja, the Sliema secretary, had told The Times that Jesmond Mugliett, the Minister for Youth and the Arts, had promised to help Sliema in this matter.
The match at the Hibernians Ground is scheduled for July 16 (kick-off 5 p.m.)
Meanwhile, Jamie Pace has been given permission by Pietà Hotspurs to start training with Sliema Wanderers. Pietà and Sliema have reached an accord for the 26-year-old's transfer to the champions but the contract has not been signed yet.
Sliema have also acquired Lee Lombardi, who turned out for Pietà last season, and their former midfielder Dybrill Sylla. Malta striker Daniel Bogdanovic has also been linked with a move to Sliema Wanderers. Bogdanovic left Valletta to join Cherno More Varna in January but his future with the Bulgarian team is uncertain due to the club's unstable financial situation.