Board turns down Saints appeal
The Malta FA Appeals Board has turned down St Andrew's appeal against the decision by the association's council to reject Norman Darmanin Demajo's nomination as a delegate of the club. St Andrew's challenged the controversial vote taken at a Malta FA...
The Malta FA Appeals Board has turned down St Andrew's appeal against the decision by the association's council to reject Norman Darmanin Demajo's nomination as a delegate of the club.
St Andrew's challenged the controversial vote taken at a Malta FA council meeting last December during which Joe Mifsud, the association's president, used his casting vote to throw out the club's request to install Darmanin Demajo as one of their delegates.
The club's appeal was heard on Monday evening. Reports suggest that St Andrew's plea was dismissed after the Board concluded that Dr Mifsud, who argued the MFA's case at Monday's hearing, had the right to use his casting vote and approve the counter-motion against Darmanin Demajo's nomination.
The case stems back to last December when, at the last MFA council meeting for 2009, Dr Mifsud opposed St Andrew's request to replace one of their delegates with Darmanin Demajo, who currently occupies the role of vice-president at the Division Two club.
Dr Mifsud contended that Darmanin Demajo, who was narrowly beaten by the current incumbent in the last MFA presidential election three years ago, had acted against the interests of the association in the past and therefore didn't deserve to be part of it.
The issue was put to a vote. Seven voted in favour of the counter-motion supporting Dr Mifsud's stance, seven voted against and several other members abstained. Dr Mifsud then used his casting vote to approve the counter-motion.
St Andrew's lodged an appeal against the decision after receiving permission by the MFA council members to take their case in front of the Appeals Board which ruled against them.
Once regarded as close allies, Darmanin Demajo and Dr Mifsud fell out big time in 2000. Their power struggle eventually forced Darmanin Demajo to stand down as MFA Honorary Treasurer.
The St Andrew's vice-president is widely expected to run again for MFA president at this year's election. Dr Mifsud has yet to declare whether he intends to stand for re-election.