Football ref admits to bribe attempt
Match was crucial for both teams
A football referee was handed a two-year suspended sentence yesterday after he admitted to attempting to fix a decisive qualifier for one of the top six spots in the local championship pool.
Pierre Saliba, 29, from Ħamrun pleaded guilty to attempting to bribe another referee for the Marsaxlokk versus Msida match on February 28.
The court, presided over by Magistrate Giovanni Grixti, heard how Mr Saliba had asked a player to relay a message to another referee that he was prepared to pay a sum of money to fix the match. However, the player instead informed the Malta Football Association.
Magistrate Grixti handed Mr Saliba a six-month jail sentence suspended for two years and fined him €500.
Earlier this month, the MFA said in a statement that the investigation board against corrupt practices had suspended Mr Saliba from all football activities.
The match was crucial for both teams as the winner would qualify for the championship pool. Marsaxlokk eventually ran out 2-1 winners.
However, even the first match between the two teams was mired in controversy after Marsaxlokk assistant coach Peter Hartshorne and player Claude Mattocks admitted to offering a bribe to Msida goalkeeper Matthew Camilleri, who had turned down the offer.
Mr Saliba was the second referee suspended by the MFA after the suspension of former referee Joe Attard and Albanian coach Ilir Pelinku over an attempt to rig the UEFA Cup game between Marsaxlokk and Croatian team Slaven Belupo last year.
The MFA identified Mr Pelinku and Mr Attard as the two main suspects but they still have to be arraigned.
Police Inspector Angelo Gafa prosecuted while Chris Cardona appeared for Mr Saliba.