Malta FA president Norman Darmanin Demajo has urged officials to tread with the utmost caution when dealing with individuals who use football to nurture their ego but often end up taking legal action to recover the money they poured into their ‘beloved’ club.

A visibly annoyed Darmanin Demajo made his appeal as he told MFA council members that Johann Said, the former president of Floriana, has filed a legal application seeking punitive damages from the association over money he is owed by the Premier League club.

A few years ago, the Malta FA were served with a court order after Said sued Floriana for €150,000.

“Since the garnishee order was issued, the MFA deposited €115,000 in court as required by the country’s laws,” Darmanin Demajo said.

“The money, derived from football avenues like participation in UEFA competitions, ought to have been given to Floriana FC but was instead paid to the person who made the garnishee order.

“This person has also filed a lawsuit against the Malta FA. He is demanding that any other income Floriana are entitled to receive from gate money, television rights and UEFA solidarity payments, be passed on to him without delay.

“What he is asking is that the money be transferred to him before we deduct the expenses.

“We have already replied, explaining that the share from gate money is determined after taking into account all the expenses involved.

“As for the UEFA solidarity grants, these are given to the nurseries.”

Darmanin Demajo called on club officials to adopt a diligent approach when people waving bank cheques show an interest in taking over the presidency.

“Don’t let these people do this to you,” the MFA president said.

“When individuals pledge to inject money into the club, make things clear from the outset.

“Question their intentions, ask them if they are loaning the money to the club.

“Some people turn to football clubs to boost their ego and for branding purposes. We have also seen theatrics from these people but the moment they quit, the first thing they do is take the club to court over unpaid loans.

“These situations can be avoided. If necessary, set out the conditions beforehand and sign a joint declaration that the money loaned is interest-free and the club will only start to repay the loans when it is in a position, financially-wise, to do so.

“It’s not fair that you come to my club and saddle it with unbearable debts.”

The Malta FA head suggested that clubs should follow the example of Pietà Hotspurs who have added a clause to their statute under which loans of a certain value must be approved by the club’s Annual General Meeting.

Joe Sammut, the Pietà president, added that the club’s regulations also stipulate that money given to the club can’t be returned.

Chris Bonett, the MFA vice-president who heads the legal department, explained that Said issued a garnishee order against Floriana but is also seeking damages, with interest, from the Malta FA.

Other matters

The MFA Executive Committee have agreed in principle with the proposal of Cottonera United to expand their merger project to cover younger age-groups.

The Cottonera clubs, Senglea Athletic, St George’s and Vittoriosa Stars, have joined forces to field unified teams in the Youth FA U-17 and U-15 competitions.

Faced with a diminishing number of young players in the area, the Cottonera United Nursery agreed to merge their teams in younger age-groups but this is not permitted under the Malta FA’s club licensing regulations.

However, after considering a similar request made by Gudja United, the Malta FA agreed to suspend these regulations pending the recommendations from the relevant board who has been tasked with looking into the issue.

• A series of amendments relating to youth football were approved by the Council yesterday.

Clubs are now allowed to loan players from the age of 12 but can’t ask for compensation.

Under the amended rules, clubs are obliged to conduct medical tests for players aged 12 to 16 at least once every three years. Records of these tests are to be kept by the clubs.

• Mark Marlow is to be named coach of the national futsal team on a permanent basis.

As Marlow is employed by Mosta as head coach of their nursery, the Malta FA are holding discussions with club officials over his release.

• The MFA have held discussions with midfielder Trevor Templeman and Marsaxlokk in a bid to resolve the impasse.

At the last Council meeting, the MFA rejected Templeman’s request to initiate legal proceedings against Marsaxlokk as the latter are demanding compensation for his transfer.

Templeman is out of contract but, under MFA regulations, Marsaxlokk are still entitled to compensation if the player joins another club.

Following talks between all parties concerned, it was agreed that any club wanting to sign the former Sliema Wanderers midfielder, who has been given his release, will be given 15 days to agree a compensation fee with Marsaxlokk.

If they fail to reach an agreement, the compensation figure will be determined by the relevant MFA board.

• A Birkirkara committee member and his guest are facing disciplinary action after being reported for disorderly behaviour at the end of Saturday’s match between the Stripes and Balzan at the Tedesco Stadium.

• Mark Ellul, who played for Għaxaq last season, has tested positive for doping.

The test was carried out in April. The sanction against Ellul is expected to be issued today.