World Aquatics takes over water polo betting probe

Updated 10.10am with ASA reaction

Water polo’s equivalent of FIFA has taken over a local investigation into a betting scandal from the sport’s local body.

World Aquatics, the world governing body for aquatic sport, has told the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta (ASA) to refrain from taking any action in connection with the probe, as it will be leading the probe and deciding on any eventual disciplinary sanctions.

Sources close to the ASA said World Aquatics took the decision after growing concerned about “weak” internal structures within the local body.

Last month, Times of Malta revealed that a report filed by the Malta Gaming Authority identified six national team water polo players, various other club-connected individuals and a youth coach as having placed bets on Malta national team fixtures at the European Championship finals that were played in Belgrade last January.

The report indicated that there was prima facie evidence of betting by these individuals who are embedded within the sport.

World Aquatics and European Aquatics, which were the organisers of last January’s continental finals in Serbia, opened an investigation into the matter and have asked the Maltese Police Force to forward them all the evidence on the case.

Six players who formed part of the national team during the European Championship Finals in Belgrade in January were omitted from the national squad that participated in the men’s event earlier this month.

However, no official suspension has yet been issued to the extent that some players are still regularly playing the Winter League organised by the ASA.

The ASA has said it is investigating the players while also adding that "the conduct observed does not appear to constitute match-fixing."

Sources close to the ASA said World Aquatics identified “weak internal integrity structures” within the ASA and decided to assume control. The ASA has since appointed an ad hoc Integrity Officer.

“Some people are very wary of the situation and afraid that no action is taken; however, now that World Aquatics has intervened directly, the level of confidence in the investigation has been increased drastically”, another source claimed.

ASA reacts

ASA Integrity officer Herman Mula confirmed that World Aquatics is now leading the probe but insisted the ASA was still involved. 

“The World Aquatics are indeed leading the investigation but it’s not true that the ASA has been taken out of the probe,” Mula said.

“Since we were provided with the Malta Gaming Association report on the case, I immediately started preparations to investigate the players involved and contacted them to commence the questioning."

Mula said he had contacted World Aquatics and European Aquatics himself.

"I contacted them and asked them if I should continue to lead the case domestically and issue the charges according to the integrity code of both the World Aquatics and the European Aquatics, or else they would take the leading role of the probe and issue the charges themselves.

“The World Aquatics’ response said that this investigation falls under their jurisdiction as well as the ASA and they wanted to start a tri-party joint investigation together with the European Aquatics being involved with us.

“The World Aquatics is leading the investigation, but in no time were we omitted from it.”

Six players who formed part of the national team during the European Championship Finals in Belgrade in January were omitted from the national squad that participated in the men’s event earlier this month.

However, no official suspension has yet been issued to the extent that some players are still regularly playing the Winter League organised by the ASA.

Mula said that the ASA has not sanctioned players under investigation as that is now part of the remit of World Aquatics.

“From our part, we have imposed a silent ban on these players as they were omitted from the squad for the World Cup Division II, which was held in Malta this month,” Mula emphasised.