The weekend football programme will be played as scheduled after the Malta Football Referees Association (MFRA) withdrew its strike following a dispute with the Malta FA over referee fees.
On Wednesday, the MFRA took the unexpected step of calling a strike to its members despite it had revealed that four match officials, acting as its negotiators in talks with the MFA, had reached an agreement in principal over an improved fee packaged with the local governing body of football for next season.
However, more talks ensued between the MFA and the MFRA negotiators yesterday that confirmed the agreement which will be officially rubberstamped by the Malta FA EXCO next week.
“The MFRA would like to announce that after six difficult months, an agreement was reached and we will be given the increase we fully deserve.
“We would like to thank the group of four intermediaries that represented the MFRA.
“Now it’s time to focus on the end of the season and leave these problems behind us.”
With the order restored, Maltese fans are bracing themselves for an exciting weekend of action which should provide more light on how this season’s title race and battle to avoid the drop develop in the next few weeks.
This evening all eyes will be at the National Stadium where Hibernians will be looking to put more pressure on leaders Valletta, before the latter’s meeting with third-placed Gżira United on Sunday, when they face Birkirkara who are still very much in the battle for a top-four finish that would earn them a place in the Europa League qualifiers this summer.
After last week’s slip up against Mosta, Hibs must rediscover winning touch against Birkirkara if they are to regain top spot in the standings.
Stefano Sanderra’s team has dropped six points in their last three outings after successive draws against Ħamrun Spartans, Sliema Wanderers and Mosta and the Italian coach admitted that his team were conceding too many soft goals.
“It’s normal that at this stage of the season a team finds it difficult to win matches against top-quality opposition,” Sanderra said.
“I can’t say anything on the performance of my team against Sliema Wanderers and Ħamrun Spartans who have been showing throughout the season that they are very competitive sides.
“On the other hand, I was a bit disappointed with our showing against Mosta where I felt that we should have put the result beyond our opponents with all the scoring chances we created.
“Added to that, my biggest concern is the fact that we are conceding too many soft goals in key moments of the match and that is costing us a lot.
“With just four matches to go, it’s important that we raise our performance level to the maximum as the next few weeks will decide our fate.
“Our main objective remains that of qualifying for European football and we have an obligation to our club committee and fans to finish the job we started.”
Sanderra will not leading his team from the dug-out this evening as he must serve a one-match touchline ban with his assistant Ryan Pulis taking charge.
The Paolites will also be without wing back Marcelo Dias who starts a three-match ban after his red card against Mosta.
Birkirkara will surely be no pushovers for the Paolites as the Stripes have kept themselves in the running for a top-four finish after a last-gasp win over the Wanderers in their last outing.
Coach Mark Buttigieg has heaped praise on his players after producing a strong showing despite a turbulent week that saw sporting director John Arne Riise depart from the club.
“I’m encounraged with the spirit shown by my players in what has been a difficult fortnight at our club,” Buttigieg said.
“It’s no secret that the run-up to our match against Sliema was characterised by Riise’s departure but the players kept their focus on their match against the Wanderers and picked up three very important points that keeps us in the run for a place in Europe.
“Things don’t get easier this week as we are facing one of the title favourites in the form of Hibernians so we need again to be at our best.”
Buttigieg admitted that Birkirkara’s scoring trouble is a cause of concern for him in this final matches of the season but it’s one aspect that he is working hard with his players and said his team must take their chances if they are to get a result against Hibs.
“It’s true that scoring goals has been one of our biggest troubles since the turn of the year,” the former SK Victoria Wanderers coach said.
“But on the other hand, we have developed into a very solid team that concedes very little to our opponents. In fact we have the third defensive record in the championship.
“We are working hard to try and solve our scoring problems and I think it’s just a case of trying to be more aggressive and make sure we dictate more the tempo of the game and hopefully we start to deliver in front of goal too.
Programme
Today
National Stadium: 7pm Birkirkara vs Hibernians.
Tedesco Stadium: 6pm Qormi vs Sliema Wanderers; 8.15pm Balzan vs Tarxien Rainbows.
Tomorrow
Hibs Stadium: 4pm Senglea Athletic vs Ħamrun Spartans; 6pm Mosta vs Floriana.
Sunday
National Stadium: 4pm Pietà Hotspurs vs St Andrews; 6pm Valletta vs Gżira United.