The Futsal Malta Association should get “the best possible access to sport facilities”, a Uefa official has said.
Uefa futsal competitions manager Laurent Morel said: “We are expressing our strongest support to the FMA, and Uefa has for several years offered its assistance to further develop the activity of futsal on the island.”
He was reacting to recent reports that the association will have no option but to call off this season’s tournament if no adequate facilities are found.
Following the termination of a contract with Assoċjazzjoni Sports Hibernians, which run the Corradino Sports Pavilion, the association has been struggling to find a solution, despite year-long discussions.
Uefa was encouraging all relevant authorities, hall owners and sport associates to provide the best possible access to sport facilities all across the country, Mr Morel said.
“Futsal is the fastest-growing indoor sport in the world and deserves full credit and recognition.
“Many social integration actions have taken place in recent years in Europe through futsal classes, and the values of the sport are widely praised by educators, so we do feel that futsal may fulfil an important and beneficial role towards the society,” Mr Morel went on.
Speaking yesterday during the annual Youth Parliament event, Sport Parliamentary Secretary Chris Aguis acknowledged the need for more permanent facilities for the sport, adding that he was confident a solution would soon be found.
The sport’s popularity has skyrocketed in the past few years, and this year the FMA was planning to cater for some 30 clubs, introducing a league for junior players, too.
The sport made headlines earlier this summer after the final game for last year’s league between Ħamrun and Valletta had to be played behind closed doors to prevent a repeat of the violence that marred a match between the two sides in May.
That fight landed Valletta futsal president Dassier Borg in court, and three Valletta players and one Ħamrun player were served with suspensions.
As a result of the rowdy behaviour, the association had to look for facilities outside of schools, making the feat harder. The government said last week it was in talks with the association in an attempt to resolve the issue.