Close presidential race goes Mifsud's way 52-49

Joe Mifsud overcame arguably the biggest challenge of his administrative career yesterday when he secured another three-year term as Malta FA president after edging Norman Darmanin Demajo in a tight 52-49 vote.

Pre-election forecasts that the race for the top job in local football was too close to call rang true.

After the 101 eligible voters - 54 council members and 47 delegates, deposited their voting documents into the ballot box, Carmelo Bartolo, the Malta FA's senior vice-president who presided over the election, initiated the counting process.

Perfect silence enveloped the Centenary Hall as Bartolo spelt out the preferences, one by one.

At one stage, Darmanin Demajo looked to have stolen a march over his rival when he surged seven points clear but Dr Mifsud recouped ground as the counting gathered pace.

There were shouts of joy from the pro-Mifsud clan when the Qrendi-born lawyer reached the 51-point mark, thereby securing the majority of the vote.

"I thank you for the faith you've shown in me even if I've been at the helm for 15 years," Dr Mifsud told those present on rejoining the assembly as the sense of anxiety and anticipation began to dissipate.

The close margin of Dr Mifsud's victory was the main talking point among the officials and the media.

Darmanin Demajo clearly proved himself a worthy contender but, perhaps, Dr Mifsud's experience and his re-election to the UEFA Executive Committee for another four-year term in January, were the key reasons that swayed the balance in his favour.

Dr Mifsud told reporters: "This was a difficult election. I've been president for 15 years but I'm delighted to secure another three-year term. It's not easy to occupy this position for such a long period of time.

"Now that the election is over, our foremost priority is to foster unity within the Malta FA and begin our work to carry out the proposals in my electoral programme."

Dr Mifsud re-affirmed his commitment to implement his manifesto in full but his top priority is to back the clubs' efforts to upgrade their facilities.

"Improving the clubs' facilities is one of our main objectives," Dr Mifsud said.

"UEFA is to launch a project aimed at improving football infrastructure in 2008-2009 but we must begin to prepare for this initiative now."

Although Darmanin Demajo finished on the losing end, his total of 49 votes meant that his pre-election pledges had impressed just under half those who were eligible to vote.

Asked whether he intends to take some his rival's proposals into consideration, Dr Mifsud said: "The policies of the other candidate are of no interest to me. My philosophy is to give equal opportunities to all our members."

As for the prospect of working with a newcomer at his side, following the election of Peter Fenech as vice-president, Dr Mifsud said: "It's good to have new faces working on behalf of the association.

"Peter Fenech is a lawyer and I see that as an advantage for the association because nowadays, you can't lead a sports association without knowledge of the laws and other judicial practices."

Dr Mifsud also alluded to the fact that he prevailed in a close election despite kicking off his electoral campaign much later than his rival.

"I only started on July 1 because the Malta FA had other important projects underway which demanded my full attention," Dr Mifsud remarked.

"Moreover, I didn't want a repeat of the events of 2000 when the Malta FA was plunged into turmoil because of that long-running dispute," Dr Mifsud said in a clear reference to his feud with Darmanin Demajo who then held the position of MFA Honorary Treasurer.

"I'm also pleased that today's election went by without a hitch. This goes some way to showing that the Malta FA is a democratic and transparent body," Dr Mifsud added.

In his closing address, Dr Mifsud again stressed the importance of unity within the Malta FA.

"I will continue to do everything possible to keep the association on the right track," the MFA head said.

"The majority of the voters reaffirmed their faith in my abilities but nothing should impede those who didn't vote for me to feel uncomfortable. They should also do their part to help the Malta FA prosper."

Vice-presidents vote

Inevitably, the outcome of the Malta FA presidential vote had an impact on the election for the three vice-presidents.

There were eight nominees but as soon as Dr Mifsud was confirmed as president, Michael Cutajar and Bjorn Vassallo pulled out of the race.

Bartolo swept to an emphatic victory in this election after polling 82 votes. Ludovico Micallef also retained his status as MFA vice-president with 61 votes.

Dr Fenech was the third and final candidate to be elected as vice-president after receiving 53 votes.

Alex Manfrè, 49 votes, Pippo Psaila, 26 votes, and Joseph Hedley, five votes, were not elected.

Hedley then withdrew his candidature for honorary treasurer, leaving incumbent Manfrè and George Micallef in the running. Manfrè won it 66-31.

Another succession of elections followed, this time to select the 11 ordinary members of the Executive Committee for one year.

Joseph Sammut (Pietà Hotspurs) and Jesmond Abela (Hibs) received the voters' mandate to represent the Premier League clubs.

Sammut totalled 60 votes and Abela 44. Long-time member Paul Spiteri, of Valletta FC, lost his seat after getting 24 votes. With 39 votes, Joseph Gauci didn't receive enough support to keep his position as a representative of the Premier League clubs but the Birkirkara FC official still won a seat on the Executive Committee. He was elected as one of the two members in representation of member clubs in general.

Raymond Micallef was the other nominee who gained the voters' backing as a representative of member clubs.

Charles Calleja and Joseph M. Cassar Naudi filled the two Executive Committee spots reserved for council members in representation of other member associations.

Redeno Apap and John Vella (Div. One), Joe Mifsud (Div. Two), Joseph Farrugia (Div. Three) and Youth FA representative Joe Micallef were uncontested.