Sliema Wanderers FC yesterday denied ever accusing their goalkeeper Simon Agius of taking bribes or that its officials had refused to report corruption allegations to the police.

In a statement in reaction to claims made by Mr Agius in a judicial protest on Tuesday, club president Steve Abela categorically denied the goalkeeper's allegations and said the player had breached his contract. The club, however, did not say how this breach came about.

In his protest, the 32-year-old goalkeeper claimed his club bosses had falsely accused him of corruption and threatened him hours before an important Europa League qualifying match against Qormi FC, which Sliema won 2-0. Mr Agius did not play.

In his protest, Mr Agius said he had been called for a 1 a.m. meeting yesterday, during which he was allegedly told by the club's top officials that they had paid someone who told them he had taken a bribe to throw the decider match.

The judicial protest was filed against Mr Abela, coach Mark Marlow, PR officer Ivan Calleja, club secretary Mario Debono and treasurer Marc Migneco in their capacity as representatives of the club.

Mr Abela said it was Mr Agius who had asked to meet club officials late on Tuesday, a meeting that lasted until the early hours of yesterday morning. He did not specify what was discussed during the meeting though, when asked to elaborate, Mr Abela merely said "stick to the press release".

He said that, later that morning, they were informed that in the middle of the night, Mr Agius had left the hotel where Sliema FC players were staying to prepare for their football match, without informing anyone.

The club officials later learnt that Mr Agius had filed a judicial protest against them. "Certainly, the club cannot accept such irresponsible behaviour from a player just a few hours before a decisive match," Mr Abela said.

He denied that the club officials had claimed or even accused Mr Agius of accepting bribes. "This is what (Mr) Agius is saying for his own reasons and which he decided to make public. Even worse is the fact that he failed to honour the contract he has with the club," Mr Abela said. He also denied that any of the officials had intimidated Mr Agius and his family.

Mr Abela said Sliema Wanderers would be reporting Mr Agius to the Malta Football Association for breaching its rules and also his contract with the club.