Attendances on the rise

The upward trajectory in local football attendances was sustained last season as matches from Malta FA-organised competitions drew a total of 190,281 spectators, an increase of over 26,000 on the previous term.

The Division One Championship proved less popular among fans last season compared with 2007/08 as there was a drop in the number of spectators for matches from the second tier of Maltese football.

The same applies to the Division Two league, the U*Bet FA Trophy and the quick Keno Division Two/Three Knock-Out but the shortfall was minimal.

Attendances for the other competitions went up in 2008/09 with the BOV Premier League registering an upsurge of 31,452 fans.

Gate-money for the top-flight matches totalled €482,481, up by €110,470 from 2007/08.

As is standard practice, the Malta FA published its financial report for year 2008/09 yesterday.

The association's surplus of income over expenditure rose from €298,840 in 2007/08 to €380,671 last season despite a reported loss of over €427,000 on the currency conversion from Swiss francs to euros.

FIFA and UEFA subsidies and refunds yielded €1,915,369, up by almost €450,000 from the previous season. General sponsorships boosted the Malta FA coffers by €76,118. The expenditure column shows that the Malta FA spent €208,689 (€204,329 in 2007/08) on salaries and €75,605 (€71,225 the previous season) in allowances to its officials.

Bank loan interest and charges set the MFA's finances back by €235,160 but the sum was significantly less than the €275,066 incurred in 2007/08.

Nevertheless, the account for the MFA's administration shows a profit of €783,904, up by €100,000 from the previous financial year.

The Malta FA's annual outlay in relation to national teams, youth and grassroots development was €1,082,674, down by over €136,000 from the previous year.

The accounts show a reduction in the MFA spending on players' training allowances and bonus and appearance money.

Whereas in 2007/08, the Malta FA paid €8,758 in FIFA/UEFA disciplinary fines, last season this amount plummeted to €1,088.

In May, the Executive Committee approved the MFA's budget for year 2009/10. The MFA estimates a total revenue of €5,093,881 and an expenditure of €5,004,041.

Asked by MFA president Joe Mifsud if he has ever come across any signs of financial abuse in all the years he has been preparing the association's accounts, Vincent Curmi, the MFA's external auditor, replied with a firm "no".

"I have made this question because we have also had to put up with accusations of misappropriation," Dr Mifsud claimed.