Controversy still reigns over footballers without permits

By Ray Abdilla

Malta’s footballing community is still reeling from the embarrassing revelations last month in the media that a number of high profile foreign players were in Malta without the necessary work permits.

And although the clubs are blaming paperwork and red tape for the delays in getting the permits issued, it appears that very quick steps have been taken to try to get the documentation rushed through.

A month ago di-ve.com ran a story stating that some foreign players with premiership and first division clubs are playing in Malta without first obtaining a work permit.

Journalist Paul Cachia's investigations revealed that more than 30 professional footballers had not complied with the local regulations as per the Immigration Act (Cap.217). An embarrassing episode involving Birkirkara’s goalkeeper Robert Savic ended with immigration police taking the Yugoslav to the police headquarters for questioning after he was found to be in Malta without the necessary documents.

But many clubs were quick yesterday to defend themselves, saying blame for the problem does not always lie solely with them.

Sliema Wanderers assistant coach Hugh Caruana explained that the club had applied for the necessary working permits way back, but said they weren't issued.

"The usual bureaucracy led to big delays so the situation was out of our hands," he said. "We had registered the players within the MGA regulations and that is why they used to play.

"I cannot speak for other clubs but I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that they had exactly the same problems as us."

When the reports of footballers playing without the necessary permits broke in the media, the Malta Football had warned the clubs to abide by the law.

The immigration office had published a complete list of expatriates holding current employment licences in terms of section 11(3) of the Immigration Act. The name of every foreign worker who holds a work permit appeared in the list. According to the official documentation, only the following premier league players or officials are allowed to work in Malta:

Akanji Murphy – footballer – Sliema Wds.

Dengaky Clavy Daniel – footballer – Hamrun Spartans

Doncic Danilo – footballer – Sliema Wds.

Heese Horst – Technical Director – Malta FA

Held Sigfried – National Coach – Malta FA

Illic Josif – National Team Football Coach – Malta FA

Marinov Atanas – Coach – Hamrun Spartans

Nisevic Branko – footballer – Hibernians

Oba Rubin-Christophe – footballer – Floriana

Pelinku Ilir – footballer – Lija Athletics

Raykov Stoyanov Todor – Youth Development Officer – Pieta’ H

The others were all working in Malta illegally.

However, the list of expatriates published in March also included Sliema Wanderers coach Jeff Wood, Birkirkara players Lucien Dronca and Robert Savic and Valletta's striker Chris Oretan.

Strictly speaking before the work permit is issued, the players cannot work in Malta. According to officials from the working permits division, the normal procedure used by the football clubs is to apply for an extended visa permit for the trial period but afterwards the players have to adhere to the normal working conditions.

The story was embarrassing for Malta’s football community. In the first division, Edom Bobolayefa of Xgharja, Patrick Okoh of St Andrews and Borislav Giorev (however under a different designation, that is as a physical education teacher) were included. But seasoned players like Engoya Onesime Ulrich (Rabat), Renis Hyka (St Patricks) and Angel Terzyski (Marsaxlokk) were missing.

MaltaToday has information that most of the players have now obtained the necessary permits and the rest are to be issued very soon.

The MFA rejected any responsibility over the case, stressing that the application and acquisition of work-permits for foreign players is the responsibility of the clubs who are the employers of these players.

The association’s words were mirrored by FIFA-licensed players’ agent Damian Iwueke who added that local laws prevail over FIFA regulations.