Holders Hibs have been handed a gruelling route to the final of this season’s U*Bet FA Trophy after the semi-finals draw pitted them against rivals Valletta, yesterday.

The outcome of the draw, held yesterday at the media room of the MFA technical centre, favoured the outsiders as Qormi, last year’s beaten finalists, were paired with surprise semi-finalists Lija Athletic, the only club outside the Premier League to have reached the last four of the competition.

The first semi-final, between Qormi and Lija, will be played on Friday, May 17 with the Valletta-Hibs clash scheduled for the next day.

As the BOV Premier League campaign will conclude a week later than planned because of Saturday’s decider between Hibernians and Birkirkara, the Malta FA had to reschedule the dates of the FA Trophy semi-finals and final.

The decision to hold the Trophy showpiece in midweek was agreed upon by the representatives of all four semi-finalists during a meeting before yesterday’s draw.

For 12-time winners Valletta, the Trophy represents their only hope of major silverware this season after finishing third in the champion-ship. Hibs, who lifted the FA Trophy for the ninth time last year, are still on course for a double.

The two heavyweights met in the final game of the Championship Pool last Sunday with Hibs pulling off a 2-1 win to set up a title show-down against Birkirkara.

Hibernians and Valletta booked their place in the semi-finals after identical 3-0 wins over Żebbuġ Rangers and Rabat Ajax respectively.

Qormi, who have reached the Trophy final twice in the last three years, ousted fellow Premier League side Balzan 1-0 while Lija extended their fairytale run in the competition with a narrow 1-0 victory over St Andrew’s, also of Division One.

As only four clubs, Birkirkara, Hibernians, Sliema Wanderers and Valletta, have successfully applied for a UEFA licence, which is obligatory for teams taking part in European competitions, Qormi and Lija can’t compete in next season’s Europa League even if they lift the FA Trophy later this month.

Bjorn Vassallo, the Malta FA CEO, noted that the presence of Lija in the semi-finals shows that the decision to re-model the tourna-ment format on that of the English FA Cup is bearing fruit as this season’s competitions brought about many surprises.

“Teams from lower leagues made it to latter stages of the competition while Lija eliminated a glorious club like Floriana on their way to the semi-finals,” Vassallo said.

Vassallo said this season’s FA Trophy has added significance as it marks the 75th anniversary of the competition.

“We are in for an eventful end to the season,” Vassallo said in reference to Saturday’s Premier League title decider and the FA Trophy.

“The remaining games should offer a spectacle to the fans and the sporting public in general.

“Football always generates controversy and people here talk about controversies but, although we often tend to dwell on the negative aspects, there have also been many positives this season.

“We had a balanced champion-ship and I want to congratulate the teams for their efforts.”

Vassallo reaffirmed his utmost faith in Adrian Casha, the MFA director of refereeing, and all the local match officials.

Vasileos Kasiotakis, director general at Maltco, sponsors of the Trophy, reiterated his company’s satisfaction to be “promoting such an exciting event in Maltese football”.

The final three matches of the FA Trophy this season will feature an innovation for Maltese football as, for the first time, the Malta FA will deploy two additional assistant referees.

Adrian Casha, the MFA director of refereeing, said the Maltese association will be the eighth from the 53 countries affiliated to UEFA to introduce additional assistant referees.

“Special communication equip-ment has been purchased by the Malta FA to be used by the refereeing teams consisting of six members – three referees and three assistant referees,” Casha revealed.

Vassallo said that the MFA intend to use the additional assistant referees system more regulary next season.

Rodney Pisani, the MFA deputy general secretary, provided some statistics from this season’s FA Trophy.

A total of 66 teams have taken part and the 62 games played so far have produced 210 goals.

Ten matches went into extra-time with three being decided in a penalty shoot-out.

Decider seating

The Malta FA announced yesterday that seating arran-gements for Saturday’s Premier League title decider between Hibernians and Birkirkara had been agreed.

Birkirkara fans will be seated at the West A and North Stand sides and those from Hibernians at the West C and South Stand ends.

The Millennium D sector will be reserved for neutral fans.

Hibernians supporters are advised to make their way to the stadium from the Rabat main road and those of Birkirkara should head to Ta’ Qali via Mosta.

The Semi-Finals

Friday, May 17

Qormi vs Lija Athletic 19.30

Saturday, May 18

Valletta vs Hibernians 18.00

Final – May 22 (19.30).