A footballer who seven years ago tried to bribe two opposing players during a third division promotion decider was yesterday handed a six-month jail term suspended for four years and fined €2,000 by a court.

The case goes back to May 2009, when Żurrieq FC were playing Santa Luċija for a place in the second division. Żurrieq FC player Josef Briffa, who at the time was 22, approached two opposing players and offered them €1,000 each to throw the match. Both players rejected the offer and flagged the case to the authorities. Subsequently, Mr Briffa was suspended 10 years by the Malta Football Association. The suspension was confirmed after appeal.

The court heard that one of the players had the offer whispered in his ear while defending a corner and another member of the Santa Luċija team had been told “A thousand after the game” by the accused.

In his decision, Magistrate Ian Farrugia said that the evidence pointed to Mr Briffa’s guilt.

He noted that the court was duty bound to fight corruption, which in this case was undermining and destroying the people’s trust in the sporting world.