MFA, clubs discussing FA Cup-style proposal

The Malta FA is engaged in discussions with clubs to alter the format of the FA Trophy.

Norman Darmanin Demajo, the president of the Malta FA, told a news conference yesterday that the proposal under consideration is for the U*Bet FA Trophy to be played on the same lines as the world-famous FA Cup which is contested by all the clubs in English league football.

“It has been suggested to the clubs that, from next season, the format of the FA Trophy will be more or less the same as that of the English FA Cup,” Darmanin Demajo said.

“This would mean that all the teams go into the same pot with the luck of the draw determining the pairings.

“The clubs’ initial feedback has been encouraging. It’s also our intention to invite Gozitan clubs to take part in the FA Trophy (if the proposed format is approved).”

At present, the Malta FA hosts three different KO competitions – the U*Bet FA Trophy features the clubs in the Premier League and Division One and the winners of the Gozo FA title, the Maltco Division One KO is open to the 10 clubs in the second tier of Maltese football and the quick Keno Knock-Out sees the participation of the 33 teams in Division Two and Three.

The Malta FA head later explained that the two KO competitions for teams outside the top flight would probably be ditched if the clubs embrace the new, open-to-all format for the U*Bet FA Trophy.

Maltco Lotteries have been sponsoring the MFA’s KO competitions for the past six years and Darmanin Demajo augured that the fruitful partnership between the national betting and gaming company and the local governing body of football is reflected in a new, long-term agreement.

Iris Camilleri Mifsud, corporate communications manager at Maltco Lotteries, congratulated Darmanin Demajo on his election as MFA president.

“We are convinced that Normanin Darmanin Demajo will maintain the progress the MFA achieved in recent years,” Camilleri Mifsud said.

Darmanin Demajo, who took over at the helm of the Malta FA last August after recording a runaway victory over incumbent Joe Mifsud, dedicated the second part of his concise speech towards outlining the priorities the MFA has been focusing on in the past three months.

“Improving and increasing the football facilities remains one of our top priorities,” Darmanin Demajo said.

“In the last few months, Gżira United have inaugurated a new pitch, those at Siġġiewi and Mosta are set to be opened soon and works on similar projects at Żejtun, Sirens, Xgħajra, Fgura and Żurrieq are nearing completion.

“We also promised greater financial assistance to the clubs and this has already been implemented. The clubs are receiving more money from gate receipts after the Malta FA relinquished its share from the use of the National Stadium and Centenary Stadium besides subsidising the costs to stage games at the Victor Tedesco Stadium and the Hibs Stadium.”

The Malta FA has also embarked on a project to relocate the premises of the Youth FA to a site nearer to its headquarters in Ta’ Qali, Darmanin Demajo said.