A legal company has written to the Public Accounts Committee requesting the National Audit Office to investigate what it considered to be anti-competitive behaviour.

The legal firm, Aquitas Legal, writing on behalf of Project Global Limited, complained that the project company was being excluded from contracts in supplying synthetic turf to football clubs.

It referred in particular to the decision by the Gozo Football Association to cancel the tendering process for the supply of synthetic turf for three grounds in Gozo and let the clubs make their own choices.

The clubs which benefitted indirectly from public funds through the Gozo Football Association awarded the contracts directly.

Parliamentary Secretary for Sports Chris Agius said that these public funds often did not amount to more than 10 per cent of the total expenses and were given upon the submission of receipts.

He said that it was obvious that the tendering process was the most transparent one but this would lead to longer time to start and finish projects.

He said that this practice had been also adopted by the Good Causes Funds and the Malta Sport Council.

Auditor General Anthony Mifsud suggested the Finance Ministry issue clear directives for the adoption of a transparent system.

Public Accounts Committee chairman Tonio Fenech said that the tendering process did not apply for contracts under €10,000.