Players hit back by skipping training

Malta players did not show up for training yesterday in response to the MFA’s decision to do away with the training allowance scheme.

The Times understands that, following Monday’s meeting with MFA president Norman Darmanin Demajo, the players unanimously agreed not to report for practising at Ta’ Qali until all differences over the lost remuneration were resolved.

The players are insisting on receiving compensation for training with the national squad.

The crux of their argument is that the morning sessions are additional to their training obligations with the clubs and several players, especially those self-employed, lose income to turn up for training at Ta’ Qali.

On Monday, Darmanin Demajo announced the revised fees and bonuses but, it seems, the increase failed to appease the players.

A Premier League club coach yesterday afternoon told The Times that he had been notified by his players in the national squad that they were reporting for training with the club in the evening.

The unprecedented move by the players will have irked the MFA’s top brass, particularly Darmanin De-majo and Bjorn Vassallo, the CEO.

Earlier yesterday, Vassallo had described Monday’s meeting as amicable.

“It was cordial and the players openly expressed their views,” Vassallo said.

“The discussion was not restricted to the national team scheme alone as we also talked about other topics.”

While emphasising the Malta FA’s commitment towards improving the local game, Vassallo said the ball was now in the players’ court.

“We have made it clear that the decision lies with the players... what they will not receive in training allowance, half of it they’re going to get from another source (match fees for the 18 players on the teamsheet) while the other half is dependent on performances and results.

“I would like to stress that this is not a cost-cutting exercise. Suffice to say that we shall be investing in the construction of a sports science and medical centre which will enable players to raise their standards significantly.

“We are convinced that the players give their all for the country but we also believe that things are not as they should be.

“The players must stop viewing the national team as if it were another club where more income is guaranteed. They must look at Ta’ Qali as a place where they can enhance their career.

“If they don’t want to train, the decision is theirs. They will still remain eligible for selection but I’d expect that those who are paid as professional players by their club and, therefore, don’t have another job, should train with their club in the morning as well. This is what professionalism is all about.”

The row over training allowance has somewhat tempered the satisfaction gleaned from the tenacious performance in the goalless draw against Switzerland two weeks ago.

That home friendly was part of Malta’s build-up for next month’s Euro 2012 qualifier at home to Greece but the stand-off threatens to throw preparations for the Group F match into disarray.

The training allowance issue was due to be discussed by the MFA Executive Committee yesterday evening. The same subject is also likely to dominate the agenda of tomorrow’s meeting of the MFA Council.