Qormi-Valletta league match washed off

The BOV Premier League match between champions Valletta and Qormi, scheduled for yesterday afternoon at the Hibernians Ground, was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

With Malta due to host Iceland in a friendly international at the Hibs Ground on Wednesday afternoon, the Qormi-Valletta game is now unlikely to be played this week.

In light of the heavy downpours in the past few days and with more rain expected today, the derby between Hibs and Tarxien Rainbows (2 p.m.) is also at risk of being postponed.

A decision on whether the pitch at the Hibs Ground is fit to host today's game is expected to be taken this morning.

This afternoon's two other Premier League matches, Sliema Wanderers vs Msida St Joseph (1.45 p.m.) and Marsaxlokk vs Birkirkara (3.45 p.m.), are not expected to be affected by the weather as the Victor Tedesco Stadium is laid with artificial turf.

Meanwhile, the Malta FA announced on Friday that the Premier League match between Birkirkara and Hibernians will not take place next Saturday as originally planned. The fixture had to be postponed as next weekend, Hibernians will have several first-squad players on international duty with the national U-19 squad for a UEFA tournament to be staged in Malta, starting on Friday.

Thus, there will be only one Premier League match at the National Stadium next Saturday, the derby between Valletta and Floriana, kicking off at 3 p.m.