Local clubs were reminded of their responsibility to have a medical doctor on the bench during games in light of the controversy surrounding the incident that occurred during Sunday’s top-flight game between Sliema Wanderers and Balzan.
The medical services and facilities available during local games were called into question last weekend as Sliema Wanderers forward Saviour Fidelis looked to have suffered a potentially serious injury after taking a massive blow to his chest in a collision with Balzan’s Justin Grioli but there were no doctors on duty at the Hibernians Stadium.
As Fidelis struggled to regain his breath, there were some tense moments on the pitch as the stand-by ambulance took a while to make its way to the gate.
Fidelis was eventually taken to hospital and his condition improved but the absence of a doctor at the match venue triggered a wave of criticism as many rightly argued that this incident could have had serious repercussions.
Replying to criticism directed at the Malta FA following Sunday’s incident, Bjorn Vassallo, the general secretary of the local governing body of football, stressed that clubs in possession of a UEFA, professional or semi-pro licence, are obliged to engage the services of a medical doctor when their team is playing.
Vassallo said that, before the start of every season, clubs must send the details of their team doctor to the Malta FA. Of the 53 clubs registered with the MFA, only four amateur clubs declared that they don’t have an official doctor.
“Last weekend, only three Premier League clubs had a doctor on their teamsheet... Birkirkara, Hibs and Valletta,” Vassallo said during yesterday’s MFA Council meeting.
“The Malta FA is only responsible for providing a fully-equipped pitch ambulance but we also employ a qualified nurse at every match involving senior teams, men and women, and youth sides.
“There was another incident at the Tedesco Stadium last Saturday when a Hibs fan suffered a heart attack in the stands.
“The supporter was seen by the medics at the stadium and Rodney Pisani, the venue director for that particular game, gave his approval for the pitch ambulance to take the patient to hospital as it was an emergency.”
Also during yesterday’s Council meeting, Norman Darmanin Demajo, the MFA president, announced that the association had handed out the latest UEFA solidarity payments to the clubs.
The cheques include the final installment of the backdated payments, totalling €37,000, owed to the clubs after the UEFA solidarity grants had not been paid in full under the previous administration between 2003 and 2008, the MFA president said.
Meanwhile, the Malta FA Council upheld Valletta’s request to ratify the registration of newly-signed Colombian defender Luis Vergara Rodriguez.
Valletta lodged Vergara’s documents at the MFA on Friday but the player’s international transfer certificate was received an hour and 50 minutes after the 7pm deadline last Monday.
Commenting on this case, Darmanin Demajo said the MFA would consider extending the transfer window deadline until midnight from next season.
The MFA head confirmed that the national team will be playing four friendly matches ahead of the start of their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.
A warm-up against Moldova at the National Stadium on March 24 will signal the start of Malta’s build-up for the World Cup qualifiers.
Pietro Ghedin, whose contract as national coach has been extended for another two years, will then take his squad for a training camp in Austria during which Malta will feature in friendly games against Euro 2016 finalists, the Czech Republic (May 26) and Austria (May 31).
On August 31, four days before their World Cup Group F opener at home to Scotland, Malta will travel to Estonia for their final tune-up match.
It was also announced yesterday that a player has tested positive for a prohibited substance.
Vassallo explained that this was a particular case as the substance was contained in medicine taken by the player to treat a medical condition but his club had failed to inform the Malta FA and Kunsill Malti għall-Isport about it.
UEFA licence
Of the 12 clubs in this season’s Premier League, nine have applied for a UEFA licence. These are Balzan, Birkirkara, Floriana, Hibernians, Mosta, Pembroke Athleta, Sliema Wanderers, Tarxien Rainbows and Valletta.
Darmanin Demajo called on Premier League and Division One clubs to revert with their feedback on the proposals and initiatives discussed during meetings about a new business model for the top division, including the sale of season tickets.
Valletta are the only club that have written to the MFA indicating their support for the proposals.
Darmanin Demajo also intimated that he will be seeking another vote on the format of the Premier League, specifically the system of halving the points after the first two rounds.
“It seems that, publicly at least, most of the clubs don’t agree with this,” the MFA chief said,
“If I had the veto to abolish it, I would do it because I don’t agree with this idea of halving the points after two rounds.”