A Nigerian man who came to Malta to play football but never got offered a contract today pleaded guilty to trying to leave Malta with fake Italian documents.

Ita Francis, 24, originally came to Malta with a valid visa to play for the Cospicua-based St George's Football Club but despite playing a couple of matches, the contract never materialised.

He then purchased fake Italian documents to be able to leave Malta to find luck in another country. He was arrested at the check-in at the Malta International Airport.

Before Magistrate Neville Camilleri, Mr Francis pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one year imprisonment suspended for two years.

Police Inspector Darren Buhagiar prosecuted. Lawyer Noel Bartolo appeared for the accused.

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