The Malta Football Players Association (MFPA) wants an overhaul of the local football transfer system that takes into account the current state of Maltese football.
The players’ association yesterday unveiled a position paper which says that the local regulations governing the compensation for transfers should be changed.
In particular, the transfer fee for out-of-contract players and salary caps should be abolished, the players’ union contended.
Under the current rules, clubs interested in acquiring out-of-contract Maltese players have to pay a transfer fee of up to €50,000.
The association represents some 350 footballers plying their trade in the Maltese Premier League or First Division. Lately, the organisation has also lent a helping hand to Rowen Muscat and keeper Andrew Hogg to resolve their disputes with foreign clubs.
Speaking during a press conference, MFPA president Anthony Galea said they reckoned the Malta FA needs to implement a major overhaul to change the face of local football.
“The last reforms were put into practice by the association more than 15 years ago and these were aimed to tweak, adjust or align regulations with the famous Bosman ruling by the European Court of Justice,” Dr Galea said.
He said that a local player is usually engaged on a part-time basis.
Therefore, at least, he should receive a minimum wage for a part-time professional player, reflecting the minimum amount provided by the Maltese law and calculated according to the approximate number of hours put in by a part-time player.
In its position paper entitled ‘A workplace that respects the rights of the players – six pillars’, the MFPA argued that all restrictions imposed on the movement of players should be lifted.
The union contends that the current system is no longer sustainable for the clubs.
“It’s an open secret that local clubs offer under-the-table payments to attract new players to their fold as the salary capping is low.
“Many a time, if a player then gets injured during the season or if the club runs into financial problems, they only get paid as per contract,” Dr Galea said.
The MFPA position paper is based on freedom of contract and movement, respect of contracts, players’ health and safety, education, life after football and a strong association.
MFPA secretary general Carlo Mamo said that the Malta FA’s Players’ and Coaches Complaints Board should be reformed to reflect more of an independent national dispute resolution chamber that meets the requirements of FIFA and FIFPro with equal representatives from the clubs and the players.
Mamo announced that a delegation from FIFPro will be meeting the Malta FA to ensure that the association’s rules are in conformity with FIFA regulations.