New national leagues format proposal rejected

A proposal by the Executive Committee of the Malta Football Association to change the format of its national leagues was last night rejected by the MFA council.

The executive committee was proposing that as from season 2005/06 the Premier League would be played on four rounds with the current Championship Pool and Relegation Pool being scrapped.

It was proposed that after the first two rounds, points would be halved. Three teams would be relegated to Division One from which only one would be promoted to the top flight. This change would have eventually led to the Premier League being contested by eight teams.

The proposal suggested that three teams would be relegated from the First Division with only one being promoted from Division Two.

A month ago the proposals were sent to all clubs for their perusal. During last night's meeting at the Centenary Hall the MFA council heard the reactions of the clubs for over two hours and the issue was put to vote.

Of the members present, 21 voted against the motion, six were in favour and there were six abstentions. Thus the national leagues will be retaining their current format.

EU regulations

It was also announced that the MFA will be adopting the interpretation of the FIFA/UEFA rules regarding semi-professional (non-amateur) players from the EU and EEC countries and others who have a legal status including the right to work. This step has been taken to conform with the EU constitution.

This means that players who are EU citizens as well as those coming from EEC countries - Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein - and those who have freedom of movement plus legal rights including work permit will not be considered to be foreigners.

This will come into effect as from June 1, 2004.