Bjorn Vassallo yesterday embarked on a new challenge in his career as football administrator as he was appointed Malta FA general secretary after long-time incumbent Joe Gauci stepped down from his post following talks with president Norman Darmanin Demajo.

Vassallo has taken over the res-ponsibilities of general secretary with immediate effect after his nomination was unanimously en-dorsed by the MFA Council during its first meeting for 2014-15.

As a result of the minor reshuffle, championed by Darmanin Demajo and approved by the Council, the post of Chief Executive Officer, occupied by Vassallo since 2010, has now been abolished.

“I’m switching roles. For the past four years, I’ve been an employee of the MFA but now I’m one of the officials,” Vassallo said.

“I pledge to keep working hard for the benefit of Maltese football and the clubs.”

A deafening applause echoed around the Centenary Hall as Gauci, whose connection with the Malta FA goes back to 1993, finished a short address in which he thanked all those who worked with him over the past 21 years.

Vassallo’s nomination was then approved by acclamation.

While Vassallo’s shift from the post of CEO, created by Darmanin Demajo after his ascent to the MFA presidency in August 2010, to general secretary will have taken many by surprise, the assembly’s unanimous backing for his nomination was to be expected.

Vassallo has established himself as one of the most influential and enterprising figures in local football since taking up the role of CEO.

Having played a key role in the campaign that propelled Darmanin Demajo to the presidency after his overwhelming victory over Joe Mifsud, Vassallo has been one of the catalysts of the various projects and reforms undertaken by the association over the past four years.

In introducing his proposals for the post changes, Darmanin Demajo emphasised the need to establish an administrative platform at the Malta FA to build for the future.

“I had introduced a new post of CEO on a full-time basis because my management style is different,” Darmanin Demajo said.

“After four years in which our efforts were mainly aimed at improving the facilities of the clubs, I can now focus more on the re-quirements of the association and explore new investment opportunities.

“To this end, we need to take certain decisions that can be uncomfortable but this is the only way forward.”

Describing Gauci as a personal friend and valued colleague, Darmanin Demajo said that, at the end of their meeting, they reached a conclusion that it was now the right time to embark on changes needed to implement the president’s plans.

“Joe Gauci will continue to help us as his vast experience is still needed to strengthen those departments that are still lacking, like the players’ registrations office,” Darmanin Demajo said.

Exco meetings

At the start of yesterday’s meeting, Darmanin Demajo voiced his disappointment at the behaviour of a number of officials during meetings of the Executive Committee and Council.

The MFA president said that, from this season, the meetings of the Exco, the first of which is scheduled for August 26, will no longer be held at the offices in Ta’ Qali.

Also during yesterday’s meeting, George Abela, whose five-year term as Malta President expired a few months ago, was named honorary president of the Malta FA.

The approval of Dr Abela’s nomination was a formality as the proposal had been presented during the AGM, held earlier this month.

Dr Abela served as head of the MFA in the past.

Former referee Joe Cassar Naudi and Joseph Farrugia, a former MFA council member, were both named honorary members.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.