Croatian hooligans banned from entering Malta again

Seven fans who clashed with the police and caused mayhem at the Ta' Qali football ground during a UEFA Cup match between Birkirkara and a Croatian team were yesterday warned by a magistrate to forget about ever returning to Malta.

Magistrate Antonio Mizzi told the men to forget about coming to Malta ever again. This, however, could not apply to one of the men who also held Austrian citizenship, and Austria is a member of the European Union. The men are Croatian nationals Anto Mratovic, 26, Anto Matic, 25, Ante Pamukovic 25, Zolan Ancic, 21 and Pavo Hadija, 18, as well as Austria-born Petar Michael Puratic, 23 anda 23-year-old  Austrian national.

They all pleaded guilty to assaulting, threatening and slightly injuring a number of police officers, including Assistant Commissioner Josie Brincat and Inspector Mario Tonna. They also pleaded guilty to disobeying police orders, resisting the police and igniting flares and other pyrotechnic material without a licence issued by the Police Commissioner.

They also pleaded guilty to instigating and inciting other people to commit a crime and forming part of a group of people with intent to commit a crime. Just before the proceedings of their arraignment began, Magistrate Mizzi asked the men whether they had enjoyed their stay in Malta. They replied in the negative and to this the magistrate replied: "I am very happy to hear that your stay in Malta was not enjoyable because you will not be coming here again, except the Austrian, since he is an EU national. But the rest of you are not welcome here".

The magistrate handed down a one-year jail term suspended for three years and informed them that, with the exception of the Austrian, they were being deported and banned from entering Malta again.

Police Inspectors Mario Tonna and Mario Haber prosecuted.

Lawyer Mark Busuttil appeared for the men. On September 7, 2005, a group of over 100 Croatian fans caused mayhem at the Ta' Qali football ground soon after the end of a World Cup qualifying match between Croatia and Malta, when Croatia was held to a one-one draw. A total of 103 fans had been charged in court.