Vittoriosa football official charged with bribing players

The vice president of the Vittoriosa football club has been charged with bribing players of a rival Cospicua team by allegedly paying them €2,000 to lose a match last month.

Emanuel Ancilleri, 54, pleaded not guilty to bribing two players of Cospicua's St Georges Football Club to play badly during a Division One match against his team, the Vittoriosa Stars, on December 27.

His arraignment follows that of the two players, who last month were given suspended jail terms and fined €500 each after they admitted to accepting the brides. Vittoriosa won the match 3-2. St Georges Football Club goalkeeper Andrea Gatt, 29, was jailed for one year suspended for four years while player Lawrence Mizzi, 28, was given an 18-month jail term suspended for four years.

The Malta Football Association has suspended the players and Mr Ancilleri and has said it will take steps against them pending the outcome of an internal inquiry.

Magistrate Giovanni Grixti yesterday granted Mr Ancilleri bail against a deposit of €1,000 and on the condition that he does not enter any sports stadiums.

Police Inspector Angelo Gafà prosecuted. Lawyer Edward Gatt appeared for Mr Ancilleri.