Malta midfielder Jamie Pace yesterday played down concerns that the training allowances’ controversy might distract the players from their preparations for this month’s Euro 2012 Group F qualifier at home to Greece.

Speaking at a Malta FA news conference announcing new initiatives to encourage fans to attend the March 26 match, Pace confirmed that the national squad players had agreed to train normally at Ta’ Qali ahead of the Greece qualifier.

“The stand we have taken is intended to show that we’re only thinking about the game,” Pace said. “These things happen everywhere… I mean it’s not unusual for players to have to deal with outside influences sometimes.

“Together, we’ve agreed to train as usual for the next three weeks as we want to focus solely on our match against Greece.”

The MFA’s decision to axe training allowances for the national squad players two months before the home date with Greece had threatened to disrupt the team’s build-up but the players’ stance should go some way towards allaying such fears.

Bjorn Vassallo, the MFA CEO, dismissed claims of bickering between the association and the national team players over the training benefits issue. He described the MFA’s revamped financial package and the on-going discussions with the players “as an evolution towards a better future”.

“In the past, we used to hear little or nothing about these matters but that doesn’t mean that the present administration is comfortable with what we had before,” Vassallo said. “We want to grow and progress as a whole, the association, the fans, the players and the clubs.”

The incentives unveiled yesterday reflect positively on the MFA’s commitment towards reviving the flagging interest in the national team.

Endorsing the suggestions of the MFA’s National Teams PR and Events Board, Vassallo and Norman Saliba, the head of the MFA’s marketing department, annou-nced that regular stadium goers will have the opportunity to purchase tickets for the Malta-Greece match at a reduced price between March 11 and 20.

Paying fans for matches from all the BOV leagues (Premier to Third) and the U*Bet FA Trophy can obtain a ticket for this month’s Euro qualifier for €4 at the Millennium Stand and only €2 for the South Stand.

Also for the first time, fans can acquire match tickets online by logging on to www.action.com.mt. Tickets will be delivered to the buyer’s address at no extra charge.

Tickets can also be purchased from a host of outlets, namely the MFA offices and fitness centre, C. Carabott Booksellers (Paola), Eros Stationery (Paceville), Geraldu’s Kiosk (Valletta), Lion King Stationery (Paceville), Star Tourism (Buġibba) and TeamSport (Iklin). Pre-match ticket sales commence on March 16.

“The MFA is offering these incentives with the aim of increasing fans’ interest in the national team,” Vassallo said. “We want to encourage the people to come and watch Malta’s game against Greece. I’m confident that our players will be doing their best to emulate their positive performance in last month’s friendly against Switzerland which ended goalless.

“We at the MFA are keen to transform every game into an experience and the fans are an important ingredient of this strategy.”

A beaming Vassallo said the MFA’s efforts to boost the popularity of Maltese football are paying off as shown by the 13 per cent increase in the attendance for the first phase of the BOV Premier League compared to last season.

Pace, one of the most experienced players in the Malta squad, embraced the MFA’s initiatives. “These incentives are a good thing for local football,” the Valletta midfielder said. “As a player, walking into a stadium full of vocal fans gives me added satisfaction.

“At the end of the day, the national team belongs to all the Maltese people. We should show more patriotism and I believe there is huge interest in Maltese football. Being a Valletta player, I know what it feels like to have many supporters behind you.”

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