Following last year’s match officials exchange programme, the referees departments at the Malta FA and Irish FA have agreed to extend their joint venture to this season.
Today, referee Adrian Azzopardi, along with assistant referees Mariano Debono and Roberto Vella and fourth official Paul Caruana, will be in charge of the Linfield vs Donegal match at Windsor Park, Belfast.
Tomorrow, Caruana will control the Lisburn Distillery vs Crusaders match at the New Grosvenor Stadium, Ballyskeagh. He will be assisted by Debono and Vella with Azzopardi the fourth official.
On the other hand, Irish FA referees will be coming over to Malta to take charge of BOV Premier League matches in October.
This is only one aspect of the deal reached last year by the two organisations in connection with the implementation of policies for referees’ departments in European football to become more efficient.
Other aspects taken into+ consideration include seminars for top referees and training camps abroad.