Kevin Azzopardi
The Malta FA yesterday began to reform its youth football regulations by raising the minimum age for the registration of players with club nurseries from 10 to 12 years.
The proposed amendments were approved by the members of the MFA Council after the association’s Executive Committee had endorsed the concept.
According to MFA president Norman Darmanin Demajo, these changes represent an essential step towards bringing these regulations in sync with those of FIFA.
Under existing regulations, children must be 10 years old to officially register with a nursery but, from January 1, 2014, the minimum age will rise to 12.
Chris Bonett, the head of the MFA legal department, explained that those youngsters who opt to enroll in a nursery before the start of next year will be subjected to the old rules regarding eligibility to move and transfer compensation.
As things stand, a youngster is entitled to change nurseries when he/she reaches the age of 12 or 14 against a compensation fee. The amended regulation will eradicate compensation payments for 12-year-olds as this will be the minimum age for a child to officially join a nursery.
The amendment was approved by the officials who also backed a proposal to allow council members to vote in the election of the top officials eight days before the Annual General Meeting if they provide clear evidence that they will be abroad on the day of the Annual General Meeting, this year scheduled for July 20.
This proposal was put forward by Paul Spiteri, the council member of Valletta.
During yesterday’s council meeting, it emerged that the MFA Executive Committee had unanimously decided to issue fresh charges against Adrian Delia, the Birkirkara vice-president who represents the club on the MFA council, over his “inappropriate conduct” during a disciplinary hearing earlier this month.
This sparked a verbal exchange between Darmanin Demajo and Dr Delia, a lawyer by profession, who had earlier requested that officials undergoing disciplinary proceedings be given access to the minutes of their hearings.
Dr Delia had appeared before the MFA’s Control and Disciplinary Board to answer misconduct charges for remarks he made on television about referee Marco Borg and Adrian Casha, the MFA’s director of refereeing, in the aftermath of the controversial 1-1 draw between Birkirkara and Hibernians in a Premier League match on April 14.
The Birkirkara official was fined.
Meanwhile, the MFA Council have asked the Control and Disciplinary Board to review its decision to dock Ħamrun Spartans one point, effective from next season, over outstanding payments to former defender Steve Bonnici.
The Spartans, who were relegated from the Premier League at the end of last season, disputed the punishment, claiming that they had paid Bonnici before the deadline set by the MFA and had also sent a copy of the receipt to the Malta FA. However, MFA officials have been unable to trace the receipt.
Floriana could face sanctions after it emerged yesterday that they still owe money to Birkirkara for the transfer of midfielder Thomas Paris. The Greens had been warned that they would be deducted one point if they failed to settle their dues by March 8 but avoided punishment after handing Birkirkara a cheque. However, the latter recently informed the MFA that the cheque was invalid.
The case has been referred back to the MFA Control and Disciplinary Board with Darmanin Demajo vowing that this scenario will not repeat itself in the future.
Bjorn Vassallo, the Malta FA CEO, revealed that Giancarlo Abete, the president of the Italian football federation and member of the UEFA Executive Committee, will be attending the MFA’s AGM on July 20.
Vassallo also announced that the BOV Super Cup final, between champions Birkirkara and U*Bet FA Trophy winners Hibernians, will be played on August 7 at the National Stadium.
Division Two club St Patrick have informed the MFA that they have changed their name to Żabbar St Patrick.
Fenech files nomination
Meanwhile, Peter Fenech yesterday submitted his nomination for the upcoming election of MFA president, to be held during the association’s AGM next month.
Dr Fenech, a former MFA vice-president, is standing against Darmanin Demajo who is seeking a second term at the helm of Maltese football’s governing body.
The decision of the MFA Council to approve a proposal to permit early voting for council members who will be overseas on the day of the AGM drew a sharp reaction from Dr Fenech.
He told The Times of Malta that this goes against Article 27 of the MFA statute which lays down the agenda of the AGM.
Dr Bonett, the head of the MFA legal department, rejected Dr Fenech’s argument.
He said that the statute, which can be amended by the general meeting, regulates the agenda of the AGM and the council members and delegates who are entitled to vote but the procedure of the elections and rules of the electoral commission are regulated by the standing orders and can therefore be amended by the Council.
“This rule was introduced for council members only as these may not be substituted when absent,” Dr Bonett said.