Defence lawyers to challenge ‘anomaly’

Champions Valletta yesterday kicked off their commitments for season 2011/12 but one of their most prominent players, striker Terrence Scerri, was only conspicuous by his absence.

Scerri has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons since his infamous kick on Floriana mid-fielder Christian Cassar at the end of the FA Trophy final on May 22.

Castigated in all quarters for his moment of madness, Scerri was initially suspended for one year (plus a further five matches for verbally abusing the referee) by the Malta FA and, on May 27, the Magistrates Court banned him from entering any stadium for one year as part of his bail conditions over the same incident.

Monday’s decision by the Malta FA Appeals’ Board to reduce Scerri’s ban from one year to eight matches means that the 27-year-old can expect to return to action in mid-autumn but the condition imposed by the court means that, as things stand, Scerri can’t resume his career before May 27, 2012.

Michael and Lucio Sciriha, Scerri’s defence lawyers, told The Times that the decisions of the MFA Appeals Board and the Magistrates’ Court have given rise to an anomalous situation.

“Essentially, as everyone knows, we have a situation where we have two decisions, one by the Malta FA and the other by the court regarding Terrence Scerri’s case,” Michael Sciriha, who is also the brother of Valletta FC president Victor Sciriha, said.

“One of the bail conditions bars our client from going to any local stadium for a period of 12 months.

“This week, the MFA Appeals Board reduced Scerri’s ban from one year to eight matches (plus the other five which were not contested by Valletta). Football is Scerri’s only means of living but the court decision prevents the player from doing any physical activity in a local stadium for one year.

“This is an anomaly and, as Scerri’s defence counsel, we have to see how we can clear up this matter. The bail condition (stadium ban) is also a form of punishment and that is somewhat conflicting.

“We must stress at this point that we condemn any act of violence.

“Violence in any form is not justified but at the same time, you can’t provoke or insult others.”

Scerri’s lawyers plan to file a judicial application to try and lift the stadium ban on their client.

“We intend to submit a judicial application,” Lucio Sciriha, who is also a FIFA agent, said.

“We will explain the situation and try to clear the picture. If there’s no ordinary remedy, we will also consider a constitutional case.”

The decision by the police to press charges against Scerri has also raised a very important question... will violent conduct on the field of play render players liable to criminical action?

“We have a similar case of a player who injured an opponent during a game but the circumstances are different,” Dr Michael Sciriha said. “The game in question was not under the auspices of the Malta FA and the proceedings are still pending.

“The general line is that any act of violence that is deemed malicious warrants action by the police. But, in most cases, less serious offences are dealt with by the relevant football authorities.”

“As far as Terrence Scerri is concerned, I think that the incidents in the stands during the same match further compounded the matter.”

Scerri has been targeted for scathing criticism for his behaviour after the FA Trophy final but it is hoped that this dark episode in his career will put him on the right path.

“We think it’s appropriate to point out that the Valletta president is doing all he can to help Scerri, both socially and emotionally, during this difficult time,” Dr Michael Sciriha said.

“The human aspect should never be discarded.”