Valletta fan received ‘immediate’ help

The Malta Football Association president has rubbished accusations made by some Valletta City fans that a man who died of a heart attack during last Sunday’s match did not receive immediate medical assistance.

People are trying to find fault where there isn’t any- MFA president

Norman Darmanin Demajo said a doctor assisted Louis Micallef, 56, within five minutes of the man collapsing during a crunch match between Valletta and Hibernians.

Mr Darmanin Demajo was contacted after several Valletta fans said they were upset that “one of our own” had to wait 15 minutes before receiving medical assistance.

They also questioned why an ambulance had to be called in, when one was always on stand-by at the stadium during all premier league matches and could have bought Mr Micallef precious time.

Mr Darmanin Demajo stressed that the police, who are responsible for security issues at the stadium, immediately called for an ambulance, which arrived some 20 minutes later.

However, their arrival was delayed because paramedics had to walk the last 100 metres to get inside because certain supporters had parked haphazardly, blocking the route.

“The police never asked to use the ambulance that was on stand-by. Theoretically, the MFA books the ambulance for players who may get injured on the pitch, but it can be used at any time in an emergency if necessary,” he said.

“I’m very sorry about what happened to Mr Micallef and it is a tragedy, but people are trying to find fault where there isn’t any.

“A magisterial inquiry is under way and I have no doubt it will confirm the situation was handled with the utmost responsibility,” Mr Darmanin Demajo stressed.

Dr Mark Aquilina, the doctor who administered first aid to Mr Micallef, had been sitting on the reserves’ bench when he heard somebody had passed out during the second half. He immediately ran to the spot.

“When I got there Mr Micallef was gasping and his situation seemed critical – he was suffering a massive heart attack,” he said, adding that the police immediately informed him they had called an ambulance.

After assessing the situation, Dr Aquilina felt there was no way he could leave Mr Micallef alone at any point, and when asked why the ambulance on stand-by at the stadium was not used, he said this was not well equipped to handle “a situation of this kind”.

“I also didn’t have the experienced staff on hand to help me transport the man, who was large in stature, to the ambulance,” he added.

As he attempted to administer first aid, Dr Aquilina, who works part-time with the MFA, also had to put up with threatening intimidation from Valletta fans who were irate that their team were losing an important match.

Dr Aquilina said despite his attempts to save him, by the time the ambulance arrived, Mr Micallef was practically dead and there was no sign of life left in him.

Relatives of Mr Micallef described him as an avid Valletta supporter, who attended the match alone. “The match probably proved to be too exciting for Louis. He had been texting his brother during the match to keep him updated on the score.

“The family have heard witnesses criticise the lack of immediate assistance, but we didn’t hear the immediate family make such complaints,” a relative said.