A Malta FA investigation into an internet conversation between a Vittoriosa Stars player and one of Floriana before the two teams met in a Relegation Pool match last season, has found no evidence of wrongdoing.
In April, Floriana FC, at the time embroiled in a fight to avoid relegation from the Premier League, lodged a report with the Malta FA claiming that a Vittoriosa Stars player had asked to meet one of their players before their direct clash, which ended in a 2-1 win for the Cottonera outfit.
The case centred on an internet chat between the two players a few days before the two teams’ Relegation Pool encounter, played on April 5.
Floriana brought the matter to the attention of the Malta FA who immediately launched an investigation.
Sources have told Times of Malta that the Malta FA’s Integrity Office noted in their investigation report that the evidence gathered failed to back up allegations that the Vittoriosa Stars player had requested to meet his Floriana counterpart – who turned down the invitation – for illicit purposes.
The report has since been referred to the Malta FA Executive Committee who upheld the recommendations of the Integrity Office, meaning that no disciplinary action is to be taken in relation to this case.
Sources told Times of Malta that the MFA’s position is in consonance with that taken by the police who have also investigated the allegations.
The player who asked to meet his Floriana counterpart was summoned for questioning but the police have reportedly decided not to pursue criminal action due to lack of evidence.
When the case came to light in April, Riccardo Gaucci, Floriana FC’s Italian president, told Times of Malta: “I consider this matter to be very serious and I have full faith in the MFA and the sporting justice.”
For his part, Erskine Vella, the Vittoriosa Stars president, described the exchange of messages as “a chat between two friends”, adding that the motive “of this mind game was to destroy the atmosphere at our club”.
Floriana secured their top-flight status after winning their final three Premier League matches last season but Vittoriosa Stars went down after losing 3-1 to Naxxar Lions in a last-day relegation decider.
Meanwhile, the MFA are stepping up their inquiry into claims that former Rabat Ajax goalkeeper Pavle Velimirovic placed bets on at least five Premier League matches last season, including two involving his then club.
Velimirovic admission
Velimirovic has reportedly admitted the allegations when interrogated by Malta FA Integrity Officers a few months ago.
The bets were flagged by the UK Gambling Commission.
Velimirovic is set to sign for Montenegrin side FK Zeta after leaving Rabat at the end of last season but, given that the betting violations occurred during his spell in Maltese football, the 24-year-old is expected to be summoned to appear before the relevant MFA board in the near future.