The Malta Football Players Association (MFPA) has urged the Malta FA to enforce regulations vis-à-vis the medical requirements at local football games in light of the incident that occurred in the Premier League match between Balzan and Sliema Wanderers yesterday week.
Sliema striker Saviour Fidelis suffered what looked like a serious injury after taking a blow to his chest in an aerial duel with Balzan’s Justin Grioli but no doctors were in attendance at the Hibs Stadium.
At the last Malta FA Council meeting, Bjorn Vassallo, the association’s general secretary, said the onus was on the clubs to have a doctor on the bench during games but the MFPA called on the local football body to take disciplinary action against clubs who fail to observe the medical requirements.
“The MFPA’s main concern is the well-being of the players and that the health and safety of players, referees and match officials is safeguarded while performing their duties on the pitch,” the MFPA said in a statement.
“After what happened to Saviour Fidelis, the MFA should take disciplinary action against the clubs who do not follow the minimum medical requirements and not just remind them. This has been going on for too long now and is not acceptable anymore.”
The MFPA noted that UEFA’s minimum medical requirements for football matches include pitchside medical equipment, ambulance plus at least one parademic, medical staff, including a trained emergency doctor present at pitchside dedicated only to the treatment of players and officials, and a medical room.
“In the coming weeks, the MFPA will offer the possibility to one player from each Premier League club to attend a first aid course,” the football players’ association said.
“The idea is to have at least one player taking charge of the first-aid arrangements and calling the emergency services when required.
“Later on, the MFPA also intends to offer another course so that all clubs will have a qualified first aider who can administer first aid treatment in the event of an injury or illness even during training.
“The MFPA hopes that what happened last week serves as an eye-opener and encourages the Maltese association and clubs to fully abide with the UEFA minimum medical requirements.”