A former president of a Maltese football club has admitted that although he started out with the intention of playing clean, he had no choice but to become the most corrupt of the lot, according to the Malta Football Association’s integrity officer.

Speaking on Times Talk yesterday about match-fixing allegations which have rocked the local football scene, Franz Tabone described the admission he received while conducting investigations as being very indicative of corruption polluting local football.

“A former president of a football club told me: ‘When I first started out, I had all the intention of playing clean. I ended up being more corrupt than anyone else.’

“My mission is to raise awareness and open people’s eyes and to help honest people in clubs.

"The extent of the problem is evident from the statement of another ex-president, who told me that I was trying to bring down Mount Everest with a toothpick.”

Mr Tabone stoked controversy early last month when he claimed that Maltese football was infested by people who rated the game’s sporting spirit “at the lowest grade, if any”. Some club officials were blind before the promise of money and would dive into any abyss for it.

Mr Tabone professed himself to be angry at the so-called traditional match-fixing (which is somewhat distinct from the betting-related match-fixing, although both
are illegal).

“I’ve been told by serious people: ‘What’s wrong with helping your team win?’
“There’s this impression that it’s totally acceptable to match-fix for the glory of winning and getting drunk in celebration.”

Former Ħamrun goalkeeper and whistleblower Andrea Cassar, who was approached in 2013 by two players and two committee members from his own club to allow a set number of goals for a sum of money, spoke of the insults
and threats he had received when he refused to accept the bribes.

See the interview below. See also comments by Valletta FC president Victor Sciriha above.