Clubs, association working to minimise EU impact - Mifsud

2003 was a vigorous year for the Malta FA. 2004 will be no different.

The new realities created by Malta's accession to the European Union come May have been identified by Dr Joe Mifsud, the Malta FA president, as one of the biggest challenges facing local football in 2004.

Mifsud yesterday said that the association and the clubs have been engaged in discussions to explore ways to minimise the effects Malta's new status as a full EU member country will have on our game.

"Certain regulations must be revised and changed to be in line with those of the EU," Mifsud told reporters at a news conference in which he outlined the association's commitments for 2004.

"Our immediate priority is to reduce the impact Malta joining the EU will have on our football."

Maltese clubs are currently allowed to register up to three foreign players but it remains to be seen whether this quota will remain valid. The free movement of workers within member countries is regarded as sacrosanct by the EU.

Mifsud said the foreigners' issue has already been discussed.

"The inflow of foreign players into Maltese football will undermine the opportunities of young home-grown players, putting to work the investment and patience of the associations and clubs to nurture young talent," the MFA chief remarked.

"Moreover, the engagement of more foreign players will increase the financial burden on our clubs and I don't think that would be a positive step.

"The MFA is also duty-bound to avoid a situation where the gap between the top clubs and the rest is enlarged. At the moment, we are working on a system that would enable us to limit the number of foreign players each club can register. Legal recognition for the solution we are aiming to achieve is another important consideration for the MFA.

"Luxembourg are in the process of adopting similar measures to reduce the number of foreigners in their league. UEFA are also in favour of such measures but feels the time is not right to push for new regulations," Mifsud said.

2004 will also mark two important milestones in the history of UEFA and FIFA. UEFA are celebrating their 50th anniversary and FIFA have started their centenary year.

Carmel Busuttil, former Malta skipper and currently assistant to national coach Horst Heese, has been named as the country's best player of the last 50 years and was recently accepted into UEFA's prestigious Golden Jubilee.

UEFA's much-debated licensing policy will also come into force at the start of the 2004-2005 season. The MFA have, for some time now, been appointed as the European body's licensors on the islands.

A new Licensing Board, made up of persons independent of the MFA, has been set up. Its work will be closely monitored by UEFA inspectors.

Mifsud noted that the financial health of local clubs has improved since the MFA introduced its own licensing procedures four years ago.

The results of the survey on Maltese football, conducted by MISCO on behalf of the MFA, will also be analysed and discussed during the next 12 months.

Mifsud said one of the most crucial topics on the association's agenda is the proposed reduction in the number of teams in the Premier League from 10 to eight. A potential reform in all other leagues is another important issue for the association and the clubs.

Malta's national team will launch its World Cup 2006 Group Eight qualifying campaign later this year but preparations have already begun in earnest.

On January 27, coaches and representatives of the six teams in Group Eight - Sweden, Croatia, Bulgaria, Iceland, Hungary and Malta - will convene here to formulate the fixtures' calendar.

Useful experience

The bi-annual International Football Tournament will be played between February 14 and 18. Belarus, Estonia, Moldova and Malta are the four national teams participating in the 12th tournament. Central Cigarette Ltd were the main sponsors since its inception but the law banning tobacco advertising in sport deprived the MFA of one of its chief financial backers.

Although this year's International Football Tournament does not bear the name of a sponsor, Mifsud said the MFA pressed on with plans to hold the competition as it is very useful for the national team.

The World Cup 2006 draw pitched Moldova and Belarus in Group Five but the MFA president said all teams in this year's tournament had confirmed their participation whatever the outcome of the draw.

Other friendly matches have been lined up by the Malta FA to provide a competitive edge to the national team's preparations for what promises to be a tough World Cup 2006 campaign.

On March 30-31, the U-21 and national team will take on Finland here. On May 27, Malta will be involved in a prestigious friendly against Germany in Freiburg.

Another important appointment for the MFA and Mifsud in 2004 is the UEFA Congress in Cyprus on April 22-23. His four-year term of office as member of the UEFA Executive Committee runs out in four months' time. Mifsud has already confirmed that he will stand for re-election.

As part of UEFA's Golden Jubilee, www.uefa.com, the European body's official website, will dedicate one week of coverage to each member association during 2004. The activities of the MFA and news from the local football scene will be featured on UEFA's website for a whole week, starting on August 16.

All 52 member associations of UEFA have been asked to organise a week-long programme of activities to commemorate the association's 50th anniversary. The MFA will participate in this initiative but has yet to identify the time when it will stage its own UEFA activities.

UEFA will also distribute one million Swiss francs (app. Lm270,000) to each national association to aid the development of artificial turf pitches.

The MFA will also continue to work to enhance the level of coaching in Malta. Between January 8 and 11, former Inter goalkeeper Luciano Castellini will conduct a course for local goalkeepers' coaches.

Refereeing in Malta was also mentioned by Mifsud as a UEFA audit described this sector as very well organised.

The association's annual general meeting in July is also a significant event in the MFA's calendar.

This year's general meeting will hold elections for the association's top posts as well as those on the executive committee.