More witnesses testify in MFA match-fixing hearings

More witnesses appeared before the Malta FA Board to Investigate Corrupt Practices yesterday during separate hearings in connection with the match-fixing charges brought against Marsaxlokk and Vittoriosa Stars.

Due to the large number of witnesses summoned by the legal defence teams of the two clubs, the Board to Investigate Corrupt Practices was unable to issue a verdict and adjourned the hearings.

The next hearing into the Vittoriosa Stars case has been set for August 11 while that of Marsaxlokk will continue to be heard on August 20.

Last month, Marsaxlokk, along with newly-promoted Premier League club Vittoriosa Stars, were accused by the Malta FA of breaching the association's statute rules no.113, 114 and 115 which deal mainly with bribery in football activities.

The Malta FA pressed charges against the two clubs after the association's Board of Inquiry concluded separate inquests into allegations of match-fixing attempts made by officials of Marsaxlokk and Vittoriosa Stars.

The inquiry concerning Marsaxlokk was triggered by the news in March that Marsaxlokk's assistant coach and vice-president Peter Hartshorne and midfielder Claude Mattocks admitted in court to offering a bribe to former Msida St Joseph goalkeeper Matthew Camilleri before a Premier League match last November. Hartshorne and Mattocks were handed sus-pended jail terms and fined €500 each.

Vittoriosa Stars were also ordered to appear before the MFA Board to Investigate Corrupt Practices to answer charges of match-fixing after two St George's players, Andrea Gatt and Lawrence Mizzi, pleaded guilty to accepting a bribe to throw away a Division One match against their neighbouring rivals last December.

Manwel Ancilleri, vice-president of Vittoriosa Stars, is also facing criminal proceedings over bribery charges.

Gatt and Mizzi were given suspended jail terms and fined €500 each.