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IRREGULAR IMMIGRANTS TO TAKE PART IN YOUTH FA LEAGUES AND FESTIVALS

Published: 06-09-2012 05:20
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The Youth Football Association Council, responsible for youth competitions within the Malta Football Association, has unanimously approved a regulation whereby children of irregular immigrants between the ages 6 and 16 will be able to register and play in its competitions.    This was announced during a recent Press Conference by the YFA president, Fr Hilary Tagliaferro, who said that this new regulation is part of the Football Social Responsibility Programme in nurseries. He stressed that this ruling will change the mentality of how these youngsters should be regarded within the framework of social justice and the right for every child to play football irrespective of colour or nationality. A new special FSR form will consequently be introduced as from this season enabling children of irregular immigrants to register with a club or nursery once they abide by the relevant regulations issued by boards recognised by the Maltese Government. Also addressing the Press Conference was Parliamentary Secretary for Youth and Sport Clyde Puli who said that social inclusion and the fight against all sorts of discrimination and racism was paramount to the Maltese authorities’ principle of working for social justice. This was also reiterated by Chris Agius, opposition spokesman for Sport and NGO’s, who praised the YFA and MFA for their initiatives. Chairperson of the Immigrants Commission, Carmelo Mifsud was another speaker. He said that this year 70 children aged between 6 and 16 entered Malta without any documentation. Football will now give them the opportunity to integrate more easily in our society. Malta FA Chief Executive Officer, Bjorn Vassallo, said that the message put forward through such an initiative was one of solidarity and understanding. He said that mentalities are changing and football is certainly an important medium in this respect. Joe Micallef, YFA Secretary concluded the Press Conference by saying that in the coming days he was looking forward to receiving applications under these special regulations.