Coach Pelinku and referee Attard implicated in match-fixing probe

Malta FA president Joe Mifsud yesterday named Albanian coach Ilir Pelinku and leading referee Joe Attard as being at the centre of a probe into an unlawful attempt to influence the result of the UEFA Cup match between Marsaxlokk and Croatia's Slaven Belupo.

Pelinku, who until a few weeks ago was in charge of Division Two team Lija Athletic, and Attard, a FIFA referee, are expected to be arraigned in court in connection with their alleged involvement in the match-fixing scandal which came to light during the Malta FA's annual general meeting on July 26.

On that occasion, Dr Mifsud revealed that an attempt had been made to rig a UEFA club match.

Having been notified by the police about the progress of their investigation, Dr Mifsud yesterday decided to nip the speculation in the bud by spelling out the names of the two persons who have allegedly concocted this "unsuccesful" ploy.

Casting his mind back to the day when he was first alerted to the case, Dr Mifsud said: "I was shocked to learn about this attempt but that was nothing compared to what I felt when I found out who was behind it. The match in question is the UEFA Cup game between Marsaxlokk and Slaven.

"At the time, I couldn't give out the name of the match as I didn't want to compromise the investigation. But, at this stage, I can also name the two main suspects, an Albanian coach whom we've been hosting in our country for several years, and a top Maltese referee ... Ilir Pelinku and Joe Attard."

Dr Mifsud said the MFA went about the task of uncovering more evidence on the matter in a very cautious manner.

"After my speech at the AGM, I had a meeting on this subject with Dr Karm Mifsud Bonnici, the Minister of Justice and Home Affairs, and the Police Commissioner (John Rizzo)," Dr Mifsud said.

"The police pledged their full co-operation. Last Friday, I received a letter from the police indicating these two persons (Pelinku and Attard) as being involved in this match-fixing attempt.

"I must stress that the Marsaxlokk player (who spoke out about the overtures of the suspects) rejected their offer and this shows that in Malta, we can say that we have honest players as well."

Dr Mifsud also exonerated Marsaxlokk and their officials from any blame. "Marsaxlokk FC and their officials have nothing to do with this affair," Dr Mifsud said. "On the contrary, they were going to be the victims of this malicious plot."

Marsaxlokk suffered a 4-0 defeat in their home match against Slaven Belupo. The second leg also finished 4-0 in favour of the Croatians.

Stern warning

Dr Mifsud called on those who may have information about corruption practices in Maltese football to come forward, saying: "This investigation could have opened a niche or a window onto similar cases. My appeal is for those who have been withholding information about corruption to come forward. We will show no mercy towards anyone found guilty of perpetrating corruption."

Persons found guilty of corruption in football could be banned for life according to MFA rules. However, the same rules also empower the association not to take action against persons who disclose factual information about bribery.

Dr Mifsud said that he has written to the secretary of the MFA Board to Investigate Corrupt Practices to launch an inquiry and to suspend Pelinku and Attard with immediate effect.

Faced with a question about the effect this match-fixing scandal would have on the image of Maltese football abroad, Dr Mifsud replied: "I think the way the MFA dealt with this case reflects its commitment to fight corruption."

Attard's predicament will not impact negatively on the number of Maltese referees on the FIFA panel because he had been omitted from the list of nominees the MFA submitted to the world governing body of football earlier this season.

Dr Mifsud would not be drawn into revealing whether any of the international matches controlled by Attard in the last few years had raised suspicion but the question prompted a repeat of the warning he made earlier.

"I remind all clubs that if they are caught doing corruption practices, they will be banned from international competitions," he said.