MFA board adjourns match-fixing cases

The two cases pending in front of the Malta FA board to investigate corrupt practices, involving Marsaxlokk FC and newly-promoted Vittoriosa Stars FC, were yesterday adjourned to new dates later on this month after objections to the procedure of the hearing were raised by one of the defendant clubs.

Last month, Marsaxlokk and Vittoriosa were accused by the MFA with breaking the statute rules no.113, 114 and 115 that deal mainly with corruption in football activities following cases which had finished in court earlier this year and saw three players and an official sentenced after admitting match-fixing charges.

Yesterday, a number of players and club delegates were summoned to give evidence in front of the board to investigate corrupt practices but before the hearing got under way they were informed that the case had been put off, giving more time for the two parties to settle any differences in the hearing process.

Marsaxlokk's case will now be heard on July 21 and the Vittoriosa hearing is scheduled for July 30.

Meanwhile, Marsaxlokk coach Patrick Curmi will be conducting his team's first training session of the pre-season on Monday.

So far, the Southerners have made no mention of new plans for 2009/10 with the club still not involved in the market to sign or offload players in the transfer season.

The same goes for Vittoriosa Stars who won promotion to the top flight last season after a lapse of several years.