Valletta FC president Victor Sciriha has demanded an apology from MFA president Norman Darmanin Demajo after the latter slammed the club’s decision not to release their players for training with the national squad last week ahead of a friendly against Albania, who beat Malta 2-0.

Darmanin Demajo pulled no punches in his criticism of Valletta in the aftermath of Malta coach Pietro Ghedin’s decision to drop the City players from his squad after they reported late for international duty, having been instructed by club coach Andre Paus to rest for two days after their midweek Premier League clash with Hibs.

The MFA president’s comments drew a sharp reaction from the straight-talking Sciriha.

“Norman Darmanin Demajo publicly said that we should be ashamed of our decision,” Sciriha told Times of Malta.

“We never thought that the president of the Malta FA would use this type of language towards our club and we expect an apology.

“After all, we fork out money to keep our club alive and help Maltese football.

“If anything, it’s those who occupy the top posts and earn significant wages who should be ashamed of themselves because Maltese football is going backwards in my opinion.

“Attendances are decreasing to the point that we have seen a drastic fall in our gate income.”

The row centres around the training schedule of the national squad ahead of an international game.

In November, the clubs and the MFA reached a verbal agreement whereby the players were to report for duty around 10 days prior to a Malta match but Valletta failed to honour the pact.

Sciriha insisted that Valletta were oblivious to the fact that they would have a midweek fixture when they agreed to the Malta FA’s proposal.

“When we agreed that club players should no longer practise with the national squad on Mondays and Tuesdays, we reached a compromise under which the players were to report for duty at Ta’ Qali 10 days before an international game,” the Valletta president said.

“What we didn’t know then was that we would have a midweek fixture. At Valletta, we have a professional coach who was the no.2 at Dutch club Vitesse Arnheim.

“As we had a tough game on Wednesday, he emphasised the importance of allowing the players to recover on Thursday and Friday. The second day of recovery is crucial for the players to recoup their energies.

“When we reached the verbal agreement with the MFA, we had no idea that we would play on a Wednesday.

“Our coach spoke to Luca Pagani (the national team’s fitness coach). Maybe that was a mistake on the coach’s part as he should have discussed the matter with the national coach himself.

“Paus was adamant that the players should not train on Friday as that could have potential ill-effects on their fitness.

“We did send the players for a meeting on Friday.

“To add insult to injury, our players trained twice on Saturday and it was only after the second session that the national coach informed them that they would not be considered for the Albania friendly.

“It seems that, the final decision was taken by Robert Gatt rather than Pietro Ghedin... we were very irritated by this.”

Sciriha said Darmanin Demajo has changed tack about the release of national team players following his election as MFA president in 2010.

“Before Darmanin Demajo became president, he told me and other club officials at the time that, according to FIFA regulations, we were not obliged to release the players more than two days before an international match,” Sciriha said.

“This is another reason why I was so irked by his comments.

“If he’s seeking a war we have no problems with that, after all the MFA need us and not the other way round.”

The Valletta president ruled out the possibility of clear-the-air discussions with the Malta FA unless Darmanin Demajo makes an apology.

“If he doesn’t make an apology, I’m not prepared to talk to him again,” Sciriha said.

“I had a meeting with the players because we think this is unfair on them. They are all out in favour of the club.”

Sciriha also warned that Valletta will stop their players from joining up with the national squad in May if they don’t figure prominently in Ghedin’s plans.

“The FA Trophy final is on May 4,” Sciriha said.

“After that, we plan to give our players 15 days off as they haven’t had a proper break for a number of years.

“There have been suggestions that the national coach is thinking of bringing in new players into the squad. If he doesn’t intend to use our players, what’s the point of sending them to train with the national squad.”

Council matters

Darmanin Demajo refused to enter into a direct confrontation with Sciriha, saying that he will reply to the Valletta president’s allegations at the next MFA council meeting.

“I have already expressed my position and I do not intend to do so again now but during the next Council meeting, where I will willingly reply to all allegations made by Victor Sciriha,” the Malta FA president told Times of Malta, yesterday.

“I also want to ensure that the MFA’s position in this issue is clear and not subject to misinterpretation.

“At the end of the day everyone should take responsibility for their actions and the Malta FA has absolutely no problem in this regard.

“We are not at war with anyone, but we will not shy away from taking any decision that we believe to be in the best interests of our national teams, the clubs and our member associations.”

Meanwhile, it is understood that Valletta officials have requested a meeting between coach Andre Paus and Ghedin.