Football
In Malta During The 20th Century
Those
British sports lovers who thought that football should be a kicking and
not a handling game, formulated the laws and regulations of this game on
this idea. In 1863 the Football Association was formed for the purpose
of organising and running this new game which took its name after the name
of this body and hence the term “Association Football”. However, outside
Great Britain, the game is more referred to as “soccer” than “football”.
It
is a sure fact that football or soccer is the most popular sport in Malta
and the oldest of all the national sports disciplines practised and followed
in Malta and thus qualifies for the title 'the national game'.
Birth
of Maltese Football
Football
started to be played in Malta towards the end of the nineteenth century
when the country, then a Crown Colony, was under the governorship of the
British Sir Arthur Borton. As a matter of fact, local football owes its
origin to the members of the British Services which were stationed in the
colony. Records prove that it was introduced as early as 1884 when soccer
was “played bootless on a piece of land which could be described as anything
but a football pitch”. It is said that football boots were used for the
first time in 1885 and a year later the referee's whistle was introduced
at a match played in Zabbar between the Trashier Regiment and Cospicua
St. Andrew's, an encounter which finished in a one-all draw. In 1908 the
crossbar and extra-time were introduced. Goalnets and the numbering of
players in local football were introduced later.
Although
the Malta Football Association, one of the oldest in Europe, was founded
in 1900, the first league competition took place only in season 1909/10
and till now eighty-seven (87) Championship titles have been won. Subsequent
years saw the inception of other competitions alongside the league competition.
These included the M.F.A. Cup in season 1910-11 (6 editions held), the
Cousis Shield in 1914-15 (11 editions held) and the Cassar Cup for charity
purposes in season 1920-21 (41 editions held). Season 1934-35 heralded
the prestigious F.A. Trophy competition which so far has produced 64 winners.
In the
1920's visiting foreign teams from the continent started arriving to play
against local teams to the delight of thousands of fans. Most of these
visiting teams were of top calibre. Consequently, when any of the local
teams had a good game, the players of the local team were hailed as heroes.
Season
1926-27 saw the start of the very popular Christmas Tourney in which both
local and foreign teams participated. It is said that ardent football supporters,
in order to arrive at the stadium on time for the match scheduled for Christmas
day, used to leave the Christmas lunch table abruptly to the great dismay
of their wives. It is said also that notwithstanding the fact that on some
occasions the local teams lost heavily against the foreign sides, these
matches were sure great occasions for local football enthusiasts.
Foreign
Players In Pre-War Football
In the
two decades which preceded World War II, in order to improve the standard
of the local game, Maltese clubs started to sign famous players from top
European sides. Since that time no transfer fees were paid, the importation
of such players was not that difficult. This importation of foreign players
helped in no small way for the overall improvement of the local game and
the number of spectators at football matches grew bigger and bigger. One
can still admire at the premises of some of the older Maltese clubs the
photographs of teams of that era which included big, burly men with grown-up
mustache dressed in what today appears 'strange' football kit but which
was typical in those days. A number of Maltese senior citizens still speak
about the formidable teams of those years which were a mixture of experience
and youth.
Understandably,
World War II brought competitive football to a halt. Many Maltese players
of the time had joined the British Forces in the defence of the island
and the British Empire. But when the war was over, the previous clubs started
to rebuild their teams. They started staging a lot of friendly matches
against British Services Teams in order to assess the worth of their players
hoping that football competitions would soon be re-established.
On
its part, the Malta F.A. was keen to start organising competitive football
again with the least possible delay. This actually happened as in season
1944-45 the ball was set rolling again. Furthermore, new clubs were established.
Besides the domestic competitions, the popular pre-war Christmas Tourney
was reinstated during season 1945/46 and it continued to be staged annually
for an uninterrupted period of thirteen years.
Malta
And International Football
In the
few years that followed, the Malta F.A. started thinking about the advantages
of international participation. The first occasion arrived on Sunday, 24th
February, 1957, when Malta played its first official friendly encounter
against Austria at the Empire Stadium in Gzira. This match, which took
place in front of a capacity crowd, proved to be a good test for Maltese
football. The Maltese players, which played against a team which was replete
of the best players in Austrian soccer, not only gave a great performance
but also lost the match by the narrowest of margins (2-3).
Two
years later, the Malta F.A. joined the world soccer federation - FIFA (1959)
and one year later it became a member of the European Football Union -
UEFA (1960). Membership of these international organisations heralded a
new era for Maltese football since Malta could start participating in international
football competitions both at national level and at club level.
In
actual fact, Malta's national team started taking part regularly in international
competitions, firstly in the European Championship Competition and later
in the World Cup Competition, playing its group matches both on a home
and away basis. This participation gave the chance to the local followers
of the game to see the best national European teams perform in their small
country.
For
record purposes, it is worthwhile mentioning that so far Malta has played 62 matches in World Cup Preliminary Competitions with its first match being
played in season 1972/73 (W.C. Finals in 1974 in West Germany) and 67 matches in the European Championship, with its first match being played in season
1962/63 (E.C. Finals in 1964 in Spain). Besides, the national team has
played also a great number of official friendly international matches both
at home and away and has participated in a number of friendly international
tournaments both away and at home, including the Rothmans International
Football Tournament which is held in Malta every two years.
The
affiliation of the Malta F.A. to UEFA entitled also our local Clubs to
take part in UEFA's Competitions for clubs. The first such participation
took place during season 1961-62 when Maltese Clubs participated in each
of the European Champions Clubs' Cup and in the Cup-Winners Cup, and as
from season 1968/69 a Maltese Club started participating also in the UEFA
Cup. In recent years Maltese clubs have participated also in the
fairly new UEFA Intertoto Cup Competition.
After
more than eighty years since the foundation of the Malta F.A., the Association
became the owner of a large premises at 280, St. Paul's Street, Valletta.
This happened under the presidency of Dr. G. Abela, the 19th President
of the Association. These premises were inaugurated on the 6th April 1983
by the President of Malta, H.E. Ms. A. Barbara, in the presence of FIFA's
President Dr. J. Havelange, UEFA's President Dr. A. Franchi, Malta's Archbishop
H.E. Mgr. J. Mercieca, the officials of the Malta F.A. and the other members
of the Malta F.A. Council.
The
acquisition of these new premises heralded a new era for Maltese football
since the national association could conduct and regulate its activities
in a much better and efficient way.
After
this milestone in the history of the Association there was no looking back.
The Association not only started to be administered in a modern and efficient
manner but there were also other very important achievements. These included
the agreement with the government enabling the Association to run and administer
the newly-built National Stadium, the construction of a modern sports complex,
the setting up of the MFA Technical Centre, the introduction of a Professional
Training Scheme for National Team Players, the foundation of the MFA Football
School and the tapping of financial resources through sponsorships, T.V.
and advertising both for the benefit of the Association in order to enable
it to expand its activities and for the direct benefit of its Member Clubs.
In November
1910, a new ground was opened at Pieta', close to the Braxia Cemetery.
This ground was called the National Ground. It did not last long and although
football continued to be played in one privately owned stadium or another,
Maltese football had to wait another seventy years before it could have
its National Stadium.
With
the complete departure of the British Services from the Maltese Islands
on the 31st March 1979, Maltese football benefited in no small way in so
far as playing sites, which were formerly occupied by the Services, were
concerned. Sports grounds at such localities as Marsa, Luqa, Corradino,
St. Andrew's, Pembroke and Mtarfa, previously enjoyed by the British Services,
were converted into sports complexes for the benefit of the Maltese.
But
for Maltese football enthusiasts, the greatest achievement was the construction
by Government, under Premier Dom Mintoff and the Minister for Public Works
Lorry Sant, of the National Stadium at Ta'Qali, which during the last world
war served as a military airport, and which was officially inaugurated
on the 14th December 1980.
In
1983 an agreement was entered into between the Malta F.A. and the Government
for the control and administration of the National Stadium by the Association.
Since then, the Malta F.A. has continued to improve this stadium and to
maintain it to the highest standards. The all-year round lush green surface ,the installation of a state of the art artificial lighting system are
only typical examples.
The
Malta F.A. Sports Complex
The Malta
F.A. Sports Complex, which includes the MFA Technical Centre, was inaugurated
on the 13th August 1986. The MFA Technical Centre is housed in the National
Stadium itself and it includes top class facilities such as a fully equipped
gymnasium, physiotherapy clinic and conference hall, a coffee shop and
a restaurant, eight twin sleeping rooms for players as well as other amenities.
The Complex includes also extensive training grounds which are situated
just outside the National Stadium and which are endowed with natural turf
and artificial lighting.
The
Complex, which has been acclaimed by local and foreign experts as a very
modern and suitable one for football, is used mostly for the training and
rehabilitation of the Maltese national team players and players of the
other representative teams as well as for young players attending the MFA
Football School. However, it is also used by local clubs and nurseries,
and especially in winter, by foreign teams who come for training camps
in Malta.
The construction
of sports facilities was not an end in itself but only a means for technical
development. Thus in 1986 the Malta F.A. established its own Technical
Centre for the benefit of Maltese football. The responsibilities of the
Centre include the preparation of the national “A” Team and the other representative
teams of the Association, the running of the MFA Football School, the preparation
of coaches and referees and their improvement and the rehabilitation of
injured players, referees and coaches through its sports medicine division.
Presently, the head of the MFA Technical Centre is Mr. Horst Heese, the former
National Coach of the Malta National 'A' side.
The
Professional Scheme For National Team Players
Another
milestone in the history of the Association was the setting up in 1986
of a the Professional Training Scheme for National Team players. The main
purpose of this Scheme is to afford the best possible preparation to National
“A” Team players for the hard task they have in international competitive
matches. This was a very innovative idea which over the years proved to
be successful.
Through
this Scheme, National “A” Team players are able to train and practise in
a professional manner under a full time professional technical staff. The
basis of this Scheme is the support given by various players' employers
who allow national team players in their employment to attend training
sessions rather than report for their normal work.
This
Scheme was complemented by the engagement of several foreign coaches starting
with the Bulgarian Mr. Guentcho Dobrev followed by the German Mr. Horst Heese followed
by the Italian Mr. Pietro Ghedin ,the Yugoslav Mr. Milorad Kosanovic, another
Serb Mr. Josip Ilic and currently, the ex-German World Cup Stard Mr. Sigi Held.
However, between 1991 and 1993 the national coach was the Maltese Mr. P.
Psaila.
After
the opening of the MFA Sports Complex and the MFA Technical Centre, the
Malta F.A. ventured into the future and decided to found its own football
school. The MFA Football School was opened in 1986 under the direction
of Fr. Hilary Tagliaferro who during the seventies and early eighties had
run a very good sports school (Centru Sports Edukattiv) for young athletes,
including football players. Every year a number of young talented players
(normally the best talented in a Club Football Nursery) join the School
which prepares them in football skills and life skills. These players are
under the guidance of the Youth Development Officer of the Association, and a number of Maltese coaches.
One of
the main objectives of the Association is the organisation and running
of domestic football competitions. Presently, the Association organises
several competitions for its Member Clubs, the most important of which
is the National League. Forty-eight (48) Clubs participate in the National League
which is divided into four divisions.
The
ten clubs in the Premier Division participate in the Premier League which
is played on a three-rounds basis, thus each club plays 27 matches during
a season. The winner of this league represents Malta in the European Champions
Clubs Cup Competition, whilst the runner-up represents Malta in the UEFA
Cup. The fourth placed club represents
Malta in the UEFA Intertoto Cup. The last two placed clubs are relegated
to the First Division.
The
ten clubs in the First Division participate in the Div. I League.
The winner and the runner-up of this league are promoted to the Premier
Division whilst the last two placed clubs are relegated to the Second Division.
The twelve clubs in the Second Division participate in the
Div.
II League . The top two clubs are promoted to the First Division whilst the last
placed two clubs are relegated to the Third Division.
The fourteen
clubs in the Third Division participate in the Div. III
League which is divided into two sections. The winner of each section is
promoted to the Second Division whilst the last placed club in each section
drops out of the League.
Parallel
to the National League, the Association organises also the the HSBC Youth League (Under
19). Furthermore, the
Association organises also the Women's Football League.
After
the National League competition, the most important competition of the
Association is the Knock-out Trophy, previously known as the F.A. Trophy.
All the Clubs in the Premier and First Divisions are entitled to take part
at one stage or another of this competition which also entitles its winner to
represent Malta in the UEFA Cup competition.
During
the football season, the Association organises also other competitions.
These are the Lowenbrau Cup Competition on a one-round league basis for
the three clubs participating in the three major UEFA competitions for
clubs, the Super-Five Competition on a knock-out basis for the first four
classified clubs in the Premier League of the previous season, the Super Cup on a one match basis for the winner of the
Premier League and
the winner of the Trophy, the Div. II & III K.O.
Competition in which all the clubs in the Second and Third Divisions are
entitled to take part and the Women's K.O. Competition in which
all the clubs participating in the Women's Football League are
entitled to participate.
The
fixtures of all these competitions are published in an official Malta FA
publication, the 'MFA Fixtures Book, towards the
end of September.
The
Strongest Sports Association in Malta
Although
Malta is one of the smallest European states (according to the last census
held in March 1996, Malta has a population of 380,000), there is a lot of
sports activity. However, the Malta F.A. is by far the strongest national
sports association in Malta both in so far as numbers are concerned and
financially.
The
Malta F.A. is formed of forty-nine (49) Member Clubs and seven (7) other Member
Associations which in turn organise football competitions for the clubs
or teams affiliated to them. These Member Associations are the Gozo F.A.,
which is a regional association and which organises football competitions
in the island of Gozo; the Inter Amateur Soccer Competition which organises
competitions for amateur players; the Employees Sports Association,
the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Sports Association and the Industries Soccer
Association which organise football competitions at places of work; the
District Football Association which organises competitions on a district
level; and the Malta Youth Football Association which caters for young players
under 16 years.
The
Malta F.A. has around 11,000 players registered in two different categories
(amateur and non-amateur); 350 coaches in four different classes (Foundation,
C Licence, B Licence, A Licence and UEFA 'A' and 'B' Licence); and 95 referees in four different
classes (Trainees, Third Class, Second Class and First Class). The First
Class Category includes four (4) who are FIFA Referees and eight (8) who
are FIFA Assistant Referees.
The
Malta F.A. publishes the MFA Quarterly Review for local and foreign consumption
every three months and the MFA Newsletter for local consumption every two
months.
The
Management of Maltese Football
The highest
authority in Maltese Football is the General Meeting of the Malta Football
Association which meets at least once every year during the month of July.
During this meeting an administrative report and an audited financial report
are presented for the comments and approval of the members of the Association
and elections are held for the ordinary members of the Executive Committee.
The Officers of the Association, namely the President, two vice-presidents
and an Honorary Treasurer are elected every two years. The General Secretary,
who is also an Officer of the Association, is chosen by the Council and
has an indefinite tenure of office. The General Meeting of the Association
is empowered also to make changes to the Statute of the Association which
changes require a two-thirds majority of those present and voting to be
adopted.
The
Executive Committee is composed of the Officers of the Association and eleven other members as follows: two (2) from the Premier Division Clubs,
two (2) from the First Division Clubs, one (1) from the Second Division
Clubs and one (1) from the Third Division Clubs; one (1) from the Youth F.A. ;two (2) from the other Member
Associations; and two (2) members from Member Clubs representing no particular
Division. Whilst the Officers
of the Association do not represent any particular Member Club or a Member
Association, the other members of the Executive Committee represent
a Member Club or a Member Association on the Council of the Association,
which is the next highest authority after the General Meeting.
The
Council of the Association is composed of representatives of the Member
Clubs (all the Clubs in the Premier and the First Division are entitled
to have a representative with full voting powers whilst the Second and
the Third Division Clubs are entitled to have ten representatives from
each Division with full voting powers) and of representatives of the Member
Associations (each Member Association has at least one representative with
full voting powers). Both the Malta Football Referees Association and the
Malta Football Coaches Association, although not Members of the Association,
have the right to send one representative each with full voting powers.
The
Association conducts its business also through several other persons and
through several committees which are established either by the Statute
or the Regulations of the Association or by the Council itself. It is the
Council which is empowered to select the persons to fill a statutory position
or a place in a committee established by the Statute or by the Regulations
or by the Council itself.
Furthermore,
the Council has the right to formulate the policy of the Association and
to enact the necessary regulations. Council Meetings, which normally are
held once every month, are normally open to the Media.
Needless
to say, the local Association is sparing no effort and leaving no stone
unturned with a view to ensure that the local soccer game is given the
best of chance to improve in many aspects and in conformity with the requirements
of the modern game.
Notable dates for the Malta F.A. since 1990:
-
UEFA Congress
held in Malta. Election of Lennart Johansson as new UEFA President succeeding
Jacques Georges - April 1990.
-
New League
Format with 10 clubs in the Premier Division - Season 1991/92.
-
Dr. J.
Mifsud elected the 20th President of the Malta F.A. for a period of two
years succeeding Dr. G. Abela President for the previous ten years - July
1992 and re-elected in July 1994 and in July 1996.
-
Agreement
between the Malta F.A. and the Management of the Hibernians Football Ground
for national and international football matches - August 1992.
-
Official
Inauguration of the Floodlights at the National Stadium - December, 1992.
-
First
win of the National Team in a World Cup Competition - Estonia vs Malta
May 1993.
-
A Maltese,
Dr. J. Mifsud elected for the first time ever member of the UEFA Executive
Committee for a period of two years-April 1994.
-
Dr. J.
Mifsud appointed Chairman of the UEFA's Juridical Committee - July 1994.
-
The three-points
system introduced into the National League - Season 1994/95.
-
The III
UEFA Workshop for UEFA Top-Class Referees in Malta - January 1995.
-
Dr. J.
Mifsud re-elected member of UEFA's Executive Committee for a period of
four years - June 1996.
-
Dr. J.
Mifsud confirmed Chairman of the UEFA's Juridical Committee and appointed
Chairman of the UEFA's Referees' Committee - July 1996.
-
Agreement between the
Malta F.A. and the Management of the new Victor Tedesco Stadium in Hamrun for
national and International football matches - August 1996
-
The three-rounds
basis system introduced in League Premier League - Season 1996/97.
-
First
Coca-Cola League (Premier Division) match at the Victor Tedesco Stadium
- October 1996.
-
A Maltese
referee, Mr. C. Agius, together with two Maltese FIFA Assistant Referees
and another Maltese Referee officiate for the first time ever in a UEFA
Champions League match (Rosenborg vs Porto) - October 1996.
-
The UEFA
Workshop for National Instructors is held in Malta - March 1997.
-
Agreement
between the Malta Football Association and the Malta Government for temporary
emphyteusis of the sporting facilities at Ta' Qali, including the National
Stadium and the adjacent Training Grounds for a period of forty-nine years
- December 1997.
-
A Maltese
Assistant Referee, Mr Emanuel Zammit, appointed to officiate during the
FIFA World Cup France 98 - February, 1998.
-
At the
XXIVth UEFA Ordinary Conference held in Dublin, Republic of Ireland, Dr
Joseph Mifsud, nominated Member of the FIFA Executive Committee representing
UEFA - April 1998.
-
The Malta
FA President, Dr Joseph Mifsud confirmed Member of the FIFA Executive Committee
at the 51st Ordinary Congress of FIFA in Paris, France - June 1998.
-
Laying of the Foundation
Stone of a new Stadium with artificial turf at Ta' Qali - September 1998
-
An MFA League XI play
against Juventus (1 - 5) in a prestigious friendly encounter at the National
Stadium - December 1998
-
The Malta Football
Association participates in the SLEX Fair with a promotional Stand at the Malta
International Trade Fair Grounds at Naxxar - May 1999
-
The Official Inauguration
of the Centenary stadium at Ta' Qali - August 1999
-
Tenders are issued for the
demolition of the East Stand at the National Stadium - December 1999
-
The official launching of
the Malta FA's Centenary Celebrations Programme during a Press Conference at the
Association's HQ in Valletta - January 2000
-
Pontificial High Mass
said by His Grace Joseph Mercieca, Archibishop of Malta at St. John's
Co-Cathedral - January 2000
-
The UEFA Referees
Committee, chaired by the Malta FA President, Dr. Joseph Mifsud, holds meeting in
Malta - February, 2000
-
The 8th UEFA Advanced
Course for Top Class Referees is held at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Sliema -
February, 2000
-
The 9th UEFA Introductory
Course for International Referees is held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel - February,
2000
-
Maltapost plc issues the
Malta FA Centenary Celebration (1900-2000) Commemorative Stamp - March 2000
-
Friendly match between
the oldest Maltese clubs, St. George's FC and Floriana FC to commemorate the
memorable encounter played in May 1900 - May 2000
-
A Vocal and Orchestral
Concert at the Meditteranean Conference Centre as part of the Malta FA's
Centenary Celebrations - June 2000
-
Malta plays England (1-2)
in a prestigous friendly match at the National Stadium as part of the Malta FA's
Centenary Celebrations - June 2000
-
Dr. J. Mifsud re-elected
Member of the UEFA Executive Committee for a 4-year term at the XXV Ordinary
Congress of UEFA in Zurich, Switzerland - July 2000
-
The Malta FA sets up a
Stand at the Malta International Trade Fair at Naxxar - July 2000
-
Meeting of the FIFA
Player Status Committee is held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel - August 2000
-
The FIFA Committee for
Legal Affairs convenes at the Crowne Plaza Hotel - August 2000
-
Mass for the repose of
past Football Administrators, Players, Coaches, Referees and Media at St. Paul's
Church in Valletta - November 2000
-
The 10th UEFA Course for
Coach Educators is held at the Corinthia Palace Hotel - November 2000
-
Malta FA President, Dr.
Joe Mifsud, receives an overwhelming vote of confidence at the Extraordinary
General Meeting held at the Centenary Hall, Ta' Qali - December 2000
-
Valletta beat Floriana (3
-1) in the Final of the Air Malta Centenary Cup - December 2000
-
An MFA XI lose to the
crack German side, Bayern Munich in a prestigous friendly encounter (1 - 3) at
the National Stadium - January 2001
-
The Malta National 'A'
side, guided by the former German World Cup star, Sigi Held, wins the Rothmans
International Football Tournament. Lithuania, Jordan and Moldova participated in
the XI edition of this popular International Tournament organised every two
years by the Malta FA - February 2002
-
Former National Team Kit
Manager, the veteran Joseph Schembri ('Tripolin') was among the winners in The
Magnificent 7 Awards for his merits in European Football during a UEFA Gala
Evening held in Monaco prior to the Euro 2004 Draws - August 2002
-
The Official Inauguration
of the new multi-million Millenium Stand at the National Stadium by Professor
Guido De Marco, the President of Malta and also Patron of the Malta Football
Association - September 2002
-
A Malta FA XI meets the
renowned Milanese side FC Internazionale in a high-profile friendly match on the
occasion of the official inauguration of the Millenium Stand. The 'neroazzurri'
won by two goals to nil - September 2002
-
A Malta XI beat a star-studded Balearic FA
side in a prestigious friendly in Majorca, Spain - December 2002 The Malta FA organises the first UEFA 'A' Licence Course at the Technical Centre, Ta' Qali - March-May 2003
-
The Malta FA organises the first UEFA 'A' Licence
Course at the Technical Centre, Ta' Qali - March-May 2003
-
Official Opening of the new MFA Health and Leisure
Centre incorporating a spacious modern gym and a 25-metre swimming pool inside the Millennium Stand at the National Stadium, Ta' Qali - September 2003
-
The Malta FA meets the local Media regarding
the MISCO Survey on Maltese Football - January 2004
-
The Malta FA hosts a Meeting for representatives of the National Teams of Sweden,
Croatia, Bulgaria, Hungary and Iceland to decide upon the Group Eight World Cup Germany 2006 Qualification Round fixtures - January 2004
-
The Malta FA holds Round Table Conference on 'Media Coverage
of Domestic Football' at the Centenary Hall, Ta' Qali - March 2004
-
Malta FA President, Dr Joe Mifsud is re-elected Member of
the Executive Committee of UEFA - April 2004
-
The Malta FA participates in the 'World Blood
Donors Day' in a special WHO and FIFA sponsored world-wide initiative - June 2004
-
The Malta FA commemorates UEFA's 50th Anniversary with a
special event in front of the Millennium Stand with the release of fifty Jubilee balloons by young players representing all Maltese club Nurseries - June 2004
-
Dr Joe Mifsud is re-elected President of the Malta FA
for another three-year term during the Annual General Meeting of the Association - July 2004
-
Malta Week is commemorated on UEFA's official website 'uefa.com' as part of its 50th Anniversary celebrations - August 2004
-
The first Prototype Mini-Pitch donated by UEFA
is officially inaugurated adjacent to the Centenary Stadium at Ta' Qali - September 2004
-
The first Malta FA TV programme is broadcast on Smash TV - October 2004
-
A Malta FA XI figures in a goal-less draw with a
strong Andalusia FA side in another prestigious international friendly played in Seville, Spain - December 2004
-
Meeting Of UEFA Executiva Committee held in Malta - November 2005
-
FIFA Futsal Coaching & Refereeing Course conducted by Mr Petr Fousek,
Chairman of the UEFA Futsal Committee - March 2006
-
First FIFA Regional Seminar on Woman's Football held in Malta - September 2006
-
Malta registers a historic 2-1 victory over Hungary at the
National Stadium in a Euro 2008 qualifying match - October 2006
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