Floriana FC president Johan Said said he would not like to see Michael Mecerod playing again in the Maltese Premier League after showing disrespect to the club when flying away from the island without permission.
American striker Mecerod left Malta during the Christmas holidays without notice, a move that enraged Floriana who acted immediately and rescinded the player’s contract.
The Greens are well-poised to book a place in the Championship Pool this season. In their last match, Floriana beat Marsaxlokk 3-0 to move fifth in the standings, six points ahead of fourth-bottom Qormi.
Mecerod scored twice in the league this season and played a key role in Floriana’s bid to avoid the Relegation Pool. However, Said says no player is bigger than the club.
“What Michael Mecerod did was wrong and unacceptable,” he told The Times yesterday.
“He was a talented player but we cannot accept such behaviour from any of our players. We try to make them feel comfortable at us and treat them well. But to have someone who we considered to be a role model and an inspiration for the youngsters acting in such manner cannot go unpunished.
“In fact, we have severed all ties with Mecerod and now I want to make sure he doesn’t don our shirt again. Pity, but he let us down badly.”
Said pointed out that defender Ivailo Sokolov has also been released as Floriana have already secured the signature of two new foreign players.
One of the newcomers, Marsal Fernandez, a winger from Portugal, made his debut against Marsaxlokk and the other, Nigerian Daniel Nwoke, will have his registration completed in the January transfer window.
“Nwoke will take Mecerod’s place in attack and we’re satisfied with Fernandez’s contribution so far,” the Floriana president said.
These past few weeks, Floriana were also linked with a move for Michael Mifsud but the Malta striker is still unattached and practising with the national team.
This week, Mifsud is expected to conduct his training with Padova after an invitation from the visiting Serie B club who will figure in a triangular tournament at the Hibs Stadium, also involving Ħamrun Spartans and Birkirkara, on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Greens are still waiting for Etienne Barbara’s decision on his future whereabouts while a couple of homegrown talent will be loaned out next month to acquire more playing time and experience.
Ryan Darmanin is also set to leave in January. The out-of-favour striker has already had talks with Premier League clubs but his most likely destination could be Birkirkara or Marsaxlokk.
At present, Floriana are engaged in talks with fellow Premier League club Ħamrun on the permanent transfer of Manolito Micallef. The wing-back played for the Reds last season but returned to his ‘first-love’ on a one-year loan in summer.