The Malta Football Players Association (MFPA) made its first international appearance since its inception when attending the FIFPro Eastern European Conference in Thessaloniki, Greece, earlier this month.

The conference was attended by high-ranking FIFPro officials, established unions from Russia, Slovenia, Israel and Greece, together with a number of newly-founded organisations who have recently applied for membership with FIFPro, namely those from Czech Republic, Croatia, Slovakia, Bosnia and Malta.

The MFPA was represented by Konrad Sultana and Anthony Galea.

The conference, organised by the World Football Players Union, was intended to welcome new applicants from the eastern part of the European continent but, notwithstanding Malta’s geographical position, the MFPA was given special authorisation to participate and introduce itself to FIFPro.

Following a short introduction on Maltese football, the MFPA presented its statute and objectives and also discussed the general conditions of employment of Maltese players.

Some of the delegates present were surprised to hear that in Malta, 10 years after the Bosman Ruling and despite our country being a member of the EU, the transfer system still existed and players are still considered ‘property’ of clubs even after the end of their contracts.

Also, the very low salary caps in Maltese football sparked comments and concern from those present at the meeting in Greece.

FIFPro were also very supportive of the MFPA after it was alerted to remarks reported in the past few days in the local media that some Maltese clubs were not willing to recognise the MFPA notwithstanding that it has more than 100 players affiliated, and that a decision by the Malta FA has not yet been taken.

The Malta FA claims in its statute that it supports all protagonists in the game, including clubs, coaches, referees and players.

So, it is duty-bound to recognise the legitimate representative of the players, the MFPA contended.

FIFPro promised to support the MFPA in its quest for recognition.

The conference then moved on to focus on the problems players are facing in some EU countries to have contracts respected, violence in East Europe and the problem of match-fixing in football.