MFA president Norman Darmanin Demajo believes that Premier League clubs should step up their efforts to become semi-professional, calling on them to demand more from those players who command high wages.

Commenting on the recent decision to shelve the national teams’ training scheme, Darmanin Demajo did little to conceal his scepticism about the new arrangement.

“The national teams’ training scheme cost the Malta FA a lot of money,” Darmanin Demajo said during yesterday’s council meeting.

“I appeal to the clubs to adopt a more professional approach. You are paying high wages and as such you should summon your ‘full-time’ players for training in the morning.

“I don’t think that, at present, clubs are in a position to replace what the players were getting during training with the Malta FA though I hope I’m wrong.

“In a way, with the new agreement, we are doing things like other countries. The policy of having the national coaches calling up the players a few days before an international match will eradicate complacency.

“Now players will no longer boast they are part of the national squad in a way that implied that they enjoyed some kind of privilege on the rest.

“Let’s see how the new system will work. It was certainly a courageous move.”

Darmanin Demajo’s views on the training scheme issue followed an explanation from Bjorn Vassallo, the MFA CEO, about the circumstances which led to agreemeent on the introduction of a new system.

Vassallo said the training scheme, which came into existence in the wake of Malta’s humiliating 12-1 defeat to Spain in the early 1980s, had been tweaked several times over the years.

“When Norman Darmanin Demajo be-came president (in 2010), we held talks with clubs over the training scheme due to divergences with the then national coaches,” Vassallo explained.

“Lately, the Premier League Clubs Standing Committee felt the need to revise certain aspects of the scheme. We had several meetings and came to the conclusion that we should try a new system, one that gives more space for clubs to train their players. We have acceded to their demands.”

Vassallo said that, under the agreement reached with the clubs, the MFA technical staff will continue to monitor the players’ physical condition every three months.

In the meantime, the MFA have withdrawn the medical services they offer to national squad members and will not renew the health insurance policies for the players after the next international friendly in February.

Meanwhile, Darmanin Demajo used his end-of-year speech to urge clubs to endorse change and reassured them that the Malta FA has no intention of introducing new regulations that could undermine their operate.

Spelling out the MFA’s top priorities for the next 12 months, namely the revision of the regulations governing the status and transfer of players, the Financial Fair Play rules and the new format of the BOV Premier League, Darmanin Demajo told club representatives not to fear change.

“None of us has an interest to go against the clubs,” Darmanin Demajo said.

“The proposed regulations will not damage the clubs. I’m confident that with proper discussion we can come to an agreement.

“My job is to convince you (about the proposed amendments) with valid arguments but at the end of the day, you will have the final say through your vote.”

Darmanin Demajo also revealed that FXDD have confirmed their willingness to extend the sponsorship of the national teams while talks with Maltco to renew their backing of the FA Trophy are on-going.

The Malta FA’s agreement with BOV for the sponsorship of the national leagues will expire at the end of the season but Darmanin Demajo intimated that the bank have indicated their interest in extending the deal.

Other matters

• Division One club Lija Athletic have issued a 28-day ban against runaway striker Andre Grabowski.

The Swedish player has fled the country after reportedly landing himself in hot water with the police.

• Premier League side Valletta have notified the Malta FA that they have suspended Belgian defender Jason Lee Vandelannoite for 28 days without pay.

The suspension on Vandelannoite started on December 2.

• FIFA had given Floriana until November 29 to settle their dues with German goalkeeper Stefan Suessner.

Football’s world governing notified the MFA that the case would be referred to its disciplinary board if the Greens failed to honour the decision but Dione Borg, the Floriana council member, told Times of Malta yesterday that the club have paid Suessner who had a brief spell with the Greens in 2009.

• The Malta FA lifted the transfer prohibition on Floriana after they paid interest on the amount they owed to English goalkeeper Anthony Warner.

• Veteran player Simon Aquilina has been suspended indefinitely after testing positive for a banned substance following a futsal match.