local news

Sean Sullivan vindicated
Joe Caruana Curran, Valletta FC President apologises

Valletta president Joe Caruana Curran has publicly apologised to keeper Sean Sullivan after dropping him for the recent Champions League games.

Usually first-choice between the sticks for Valletta, Sullivan was downgraded to the substitutes' bench during Valletta's two-leg tie with Finnish Champions FC Haka in the first preliminary round of the Champions League.

With Sullivan in goal, Valletta had a record-breaking season in 2000-01, yet they decided to recruit Bulgarian stopper Emil Mitkov Dimitrov in the hope that a taller keeper could cope better with Haka's aerial threat.

However, Dimitrov proved to be Valletta's weakest link and conceded three soft goals in their humiliating experience in the second leg in Finland, which they eventually lost 5-0.

Caruana Curran said their decision to replace Sullivan for their outings in Europe was his committee's after consulting their Bulgarian coach Krassimir.

Caruana Curran showered praise on Sullivan for his professionalism when, with Valletta already 0-4 down, he was called upon to replace Mitkov and did extremely well by keeping the score down with some fine saves only to be beaten once in the last minute.

The Valletta president said that although he was visibly disappointed, Sullivan never said anything but instead voiced his support to his team-mates from the bench and did his best, with the hope of regaining his first-team spot.

Sullivan's display against Valkeakosen has assured him the number one jersey for next season and Mitkov was today released from his one-month contract to return home.

After their scoreless tie in the first leg in Malta, Valletta were very optimistic of their chances for the return tie but their hopes were dashed when they conceded four goals in the first half hour.

Joe Caruana Curran admitted Valetta's mistakes and as chairman of the club took full responsibility for their elimination.

He further apologised to the fans and players because though it had the club's interests at heart, the administration had made the wrong decisions.

He said they must now learn from their mistakes and look to the future with optimism.