Although the Malta Football Association has been fined 13,000 Swiss francs (Lm3,600) after FIFA ruled the Maltese authorities had failed to take appropriate security precautions for the Malta-Croatia World Cup qualifier, it is still unclear who will foot the bill for the damages caused by Croatian supporters at the Ta' Qali stadium on September 7.

The International Football Association also fined the Croatian Football Federation 55,000 Swiss francs (circa Lm15,000) after its supporters ripped seats and hurled them at the home side and at policemen when their country's chances to qualify directly for Germany 2006 were dented by the 1-1 draw.

Contacted for his reactions to the FIFA ruling yesterday, MFA president Joe Mifsud said there was no right of appeal from such a decision.

Asked whether FIFA had ruled who should foot the bill for the damages at the stadium - put at between Lm8,000 and Lm10,000 - Dr Mifsud replied: "We'll have to see who will foot the bill. FIFA does not go into that issue". The Times put the same question to FIFA but no reply was forthcoming by the time of writing.

About 100 Croats were arraigned in connection with the incidents. Ninety-five of them pleaded guilty and were given a seven-month jail term, suspended for two years, except for two minors who were sentenced to a five-month suspended prison term.

Another eight, including a sports writer, pleaded not guilty and were granted bail against a personal guarantee of Lm2,000. Some cases are still being heard.