The Malta FA Executive Committee has authorised president Norman Darmanin Demajo to enforce immediate bans against any of its affiliated members, if and when it obtains confirmation from the police that such persons are facing match-fixing charges in relation to the Malta U-21 team’s European qualifiers against Montenegro and the Czech Republic.
The on-going investigation into allegations that attempts were made to rig the two home U-21 games, played in the last week of March, was thrust back into the spotlight yesterday after Times of Malta reported on its front page that the police have filed match-fixing charges against Malta U-21 players Emanuel Briffa and Kyle Cesare.
A third person, Ronnie Mackay, has also been summoned to appear in court on June 2, the report, citing sources, said.
The news story sent shockwaves through local football with the Malta FA issuing a statement following a meeting of its Executive Committee yesterday afternoon.
“The Malta Football Association has taken note of an article that appeared in Times of Malta today (yesterday) with regards to persons, affiliated to the Association, who allegedly are going to be arraigned in court in the coming days,” the MFA said in its statement.
“This (arraignment) is linked to match-fixing cases related to the games of the U-21 national team against Montenegro and the Czech Republic, played in March.
“The MFA notes that, until now, it has not received any confirmation from the police as to whether the persons who are going to appear in court are those mentioned in the local media.
“Therefore, as of today, the MFA can’t take disciplinary action against its members. However, the MFA notifies that, during a meeting held today, the Executive Committee of the MFA has given authorisation to its president so that, when and if it receives information or official documentation that its members are going to be arraigned over this case, the MFA will temporarily suspend them from every footballing activity with immediate effect.”
Last month, Seyble Zammit pleaded guilty to a series of match-fixing charges in relation to Malta’s Euro U-21 defeats to Montenegro (1-0) and the Czech Republic (7-0) but was spared punishment after Magistrate Saviour Demicoli invoked the provisions within the Prevention and Corruption (Players) Act on the grounds that the defendant had provided the investigators with vital information.
The testimony given by Zammit, which was heard behind closed doors, is believed to have helped the investigators step up their probe.
The MFA stressed that, in agreement with European football body UEFA, and the local authorities, it would initiate its own disciplinary procedures once the judicial process has been concluded.
Promising youngsters
Both Briffa and Cesare are regarded among the most promising youngsters in Maltese football.
The 22-year-old Briffa, who plays for Premier League club Floriana, made his senior debut for Malta in the 2-0 friendly defeat to Jordan last November.
Riccardo Gaucci, the president of Floriana FC, said the charges levelled against Briffa, as reported by this newspaper, are very serious but insisted that the player is denying any wrongdoing.
“It’s a very grave situation but the player has reassured me that he’s not involved in this,” Gaucci said.
“If these charges are confirmed, it will be absurd, shocking.
“At this stage, I can’t make any further comments, also because I need to speak to the club’s lawyer.”
Cesare, 20, is on the books of Division One club Pietà Hotspurs and the young midfielder is reportedly coveted by a host of top-flight teams.
Mario Mallia, the president of Pietà, said the Times of Malta report about Cesare’s upcoming arraignment came as a shock to him but he’s not rushing to conclusions.
“I was shocked and speechless when I read the report,” Mallia said
“We will discuss this matter at committee level on Wednesday (tomorrow) but we intend to proceed with the utmost caution.
“We don’t have an official document substantiating the newspaper report. Our club is willing to wait for any decisions the MFA will take over this case and act accordingly.”