Darmanin Demajo to launch MFA presidency bid tomorrow

Norman Darmanin Demajo will officially announce his candidacy for the Malta FA presidential election at a news conference tomorrow afternoon.

Notice of the news briefing, to be held at the Luxol Stadium St Andrew's, was given by David Bianchi, secretary of the Luxol Sports Club, in a letter sent to the local media via email yesterday.

"During the press conference (starting at 12.30 p.m.), Mr Norman Darmanin Demajo will officially declare his intention to contest the election for the post of president of the Malta Football Association at the next Annual General Meeting of the association in July/August 2007," the press notice said.

It also added that Darmanin Demajo, who currently holds the positions of director of Luxol Sports Club and vice-president of St Andrew's FC, "will reveal more details about his plans for Maltese football".

Darmanin Demajo's candidature for the Malta FA presidential election next summer had been in the air for several weeks.

On January 18, The Times reported that Darmanin Demajo had made up his mind to challenge for the top job in local football but at the time, the former Malta FA Honorary Treasurer declined to comment on the matter.

Darmanin Demajo's pitch for the MFA presidency raises the prospect of a head-to-head duel with incumbent Joe Mifsud who has been at the helm of the association since 1992.

A prominent midfielder for Valletta FC in his playing days, Darmanin Demajo has not served the MFA in any capacity since quitting the local governing body of football in 2000 following a bitter feud with Dr Mifsud.