Nearly every week we are reading regular articles about problems our football clubs are facing. Nearly all contributors are pointing fingers at and trying to put the blame mainly on the Malta FA. But who is really to blame?

Before, much before the likes of Robert Arrigo and Victor Zammit started involving themselves in football, others were running the clubs, winning honours and participating in UEFA competitions like today.

Dr George Bonello du Puis was a successful club president who led Sliema to many honours, the late Lawrence Xuereb was also a successful president as were others presiding Valletta, Floriana etc.

Unlike today's presidents, they never got carried away. Clubs like Marsa, Gzira, Zurrieq and Rabat had a chance to taste success but then those with fat cheque books ruined it all for them, and the decline of football began.

Yes, most of the good players historically chose Sliema, Hibs, Valletta and Floriana, but they did that because of the respective clubs' glorious history. Now the situation is different... they choose these clubs, and now also Birkirkara, because of the financial rewards. Nowadays, small clubs haven't got a remote chance to present a competitive side and challenge for honours.

I think, the problems clubs are facing are mostly self-inflicted by the piques that exist between the big clubs. This rivalry, where only money talks, has diminished the existence of smaller clubs. They have no chance in the world of signing on a good player.

Small clubs cannot afford to pay exorbitant monthly salaries. Week in week out, we have been watching those in charge of big clubs almost insulting each other on TV programmes, arguing who is signing on the best player available on the market at the particular time.

But now it is time to stop pointing fingers at the Malta FA. It is the top clubs that have inflicted all this damage. No wonder people have stopped going to watch matches.

There are frequent instances when transfers of players are agreed by club presidents only. Committees are then presented with a complete decision wrapped up and stamped.

If a member dares ask why, what or how, he is plainly told that when he starts writing his cheque, he can decide himself.

I'm told there are instances when transfers are negotiated between the club presidents themselves. Cheques are then issued by the club paying the transfer fee in the name of the other club's president.

Our clubs are either "sui generis" civil society or a company under the Companies Act 1995. Irrespective of their status all clubs fall under the MFA rules.

No threats to Division One clubs, by not giving them players on loan for free, are going to change the rules. We also hear a lot about arrogance and I ask, is it arrogance to state that only those who can afford forking out money are wanted on club committees.

It is almost scandalous to state that a club has paid Lm157,000 in salaries, an average of over Lm6,000 per player in a squad of 25 players.

How on earth can small clubs expect to sign top players when these kind of payments are mentioned.

On one side, it is said that clubs must abide by the MFA rules, and action, harsh disciplinary action, should be implemented against those who do not manage their finances according to the rules. Then we hear clubs boasting they paid high salaries to their players.

The MFA rule is a maximum salary of Lm1,500 per season for non-amateur player. Are we respecting that rule. Will we claim arrogance if action is taken against clubs who break the rule?

Football clubs must remain as they are. They should not be used for the club president's personal ambitions.

I have served as a council member last season and witnessed professionalism, firmness and fairness in important decisions taken by this body.

If the big clubs are going to persist with their piques then they are going to end up competing between themselves. There will be no scope for the small clubs to exist.

The same as political parties, which exist to win elections, football clubs are there to win honours and this is where the MFA must come in by ordering a full inquiry on the clubs' financial records. Only then we will know who is really to blame about the crisis in local football. This action is required immediately and with urgency.