Sport • 12 JANUARY 2003

David Camilleri and Etienne Barbara are B'Kara's main target

-Airdrie want Lm18,000 for Simon Vella

Birkirkara are still after David Camilleri of Sliema Wanderers and also want Etienne Barbara of Sliema Wanderers. But the Stripes are out of contention for the Maltese international Simon Vella who plays for Airdrie as they believe that the fee and salary for the player is too high.

Sliema and Malta midfielder David Camilleri is wanted by four clubs. Birkirkara, Valletta, Pietà and Marsaxlokk. Speaking to Sliema President Robert Arrigo he said that his club want only cash for David.

"When I bought Joe Brincat from Birkirkara I paid cash. Now to sell one of my best players I also want to be paid in cash. Yes David is not a regular at the moment with Sliema, but who is? We not only have a good team but a good squad and I would like to keep it that way. But if the player wants to go then I would not stand in his way," Mr Arrigo said.

Birkirkara Chairman, Victor Zammit said that they want the player badly and they are willing to pay the Lm20,000 fee according to the Malta Football Association parameters. But he said that he would not like to pay instantly although such a problem could be settled when the two clubs meet.

MaltaToday also spoke to David Camilleri who denied reports on a Maltese newspaper stating that his first option is to join Birkirkara. "I am happy at Sliema but I would like to play not sit down on the bench and for that only I wish to move on. Meanwhile I am ready to listen to all offers, and stating that Birkirkara are on top of my list is a blatant lie. I am willing to speak to everyone. My main aim is to continue playing for the national team but if I am kept on the sidelines I would not be chosen anymore."

Besides Camilleri, the Stripes are also interested in Etienne Barbara of Floriana. Mr Zammit said that the Greens wanted Roderick Briffa and Matthew Calascione in exchange for their player but agreement was not reached. He said that now Floriana will have to table another offer.

Simon Vella deal off

Regarding Simon Vella, the Maltese defender who plays for Scottish Division Two side Airdrie, the deal between B'Kara and the Scottish club has fallen through. Airdrie wanted Lm18,000 for the player in cash.

"It is not the fee which I found awesome but the salary of the player who is on a Lm2,000 a month at Airdrie together with other perks such as a flat, car etc. Mr Zammit told MaltaToday. We could not pay such a salary according to the MFA parameters.

Speaking to Simon Vella in Airdrie, he said that he heard nothing about Birkirkara's interest after Mr Zammit had spoken to him on the phone. "I know that my club had asked for a fee but I do not know the content of the fee. Meanwhile our game yesterday was postponed again and that is why we had to train again yesterday morning. At the moment it is really freezing in Scotland," Vella said.

Regarding Kris Laferla's move to Sliema, Malta Today spoke to Mr Robert Arrigo who said that Sliema are ready to sign the former Malta defender but it is the player himself who has to arrange everything with Valletta about his release.

"The player has said that Valletta still owe him some money and maybe that is why he is stalling. But we are ready to talk to Kris if he's is that keen on joining us. Despite his age he still has got a few years left in him," Arrigo said.