Safeguarding Regulations approved by MFA Council

The Malta Football Association Council unanimously ratified the Safeguarding Regulations at a meeting held this afternoon. Drafted by Andrew Azzopardi, the Malta FA Safeguarding Officer, the regulations were discussed for the first time during the Council meeting held in January and eventually at Executive Committee level earlier this month. The new safeguarding policy revolves around four pillars: safe recruitment; policy and training; taking appropriate action when the need arises; and creating space for victims to come forward. In sync with its commitment to prevent all forms of child abuse and poor practice, the regulations, to be incorporated in the Youth Football section of the Malta FA’s statute, empower the MFA to safeguard children and vulnerable adults. Also during today’s Malta FA Council meeting, Dr Angelo Chetcuti, the MFA General Secretary, outlined the salient points of the proposed anti-corruption bill. The proposed law, which has been drafted by the Office of the Attorney General, recommends harsher punishments in the form of effective prison sentences to anyone who partakes in the manipulation not just of the outcome but any of the aspects of a sporting event, and sets outs a series of aggravating circumstances. The provision of inside information to third parties for illicit purposes is recognised as an offence in the draft bill which also stipulates that the punishment for athletes found guilty of bribery offences while representing the country rises by one degree. Dr Chetcuti mentioned the incidents which caused the abandonment of the Youth League game between Swieqi United and Gżira United on Monday. The match, at the Charles Abela Stadium, was called off by the referee on 71 minutes after fighting broke out between some players. Both Dr Chetcuti and Norman Darmanin Demajo, the President of the Malta FA, strongly deplored these incidents which “seriously tarnish the image of the game”. While urging the MFA disciplinary bodies to fully enforce the regulations and sanction those responsible for these clashes, Darmanin Demajo reaffirmed the Association’s resolve to clamp down on these unsavoury incidents, especially when young referees are the victims of physical assault. INQUIRY REPORT Dr Chetcuti told the Council that the MFA inquiry into the alleged use of forged documents and false information in some applications for work permits of non-EU football players has been concluded. The MFA Board of Inquiry found that the flagged irregularities had occurred and made a series of recommendations to the Association to raise the level of scrutiny for such applications. The findings have been passed to the MFA Prosecuting Officer who will be issuing disciplinary charges. A copy of the inquiry report has been sent to Identity Malta and SportMalta. Meanwhile, the 2016/17 MFA Awards regulations have been approved by the Council. This year’s award-giving ceremony is scheduled to take place on May 14 at the Mediterranean Conference Centre. A press briefing was held immediately after today’s MFA Council meeting.