Court throws former MFA president out of sitting for unruly behaviour

Former MFA president Joe Mifsud was testifying in libel suit filed against Illum and Darmanin Demajo about allegations of corruption and misappropriation in the MFA. 

Former MFA president Joe Mifsud (left) with current MFA president Norman Darmanin Demajo
Former MFA president Joe Mifsud (left) with current MFA president Norman Darmanin Demajo

A court sitting in a libel case between former Malta Football Association president Joe Mifsud and its current president Norman Darmanin Demajo had to be cut short today after the sitting devolved into a shouting match involving the parties and their lawyers.

Magistrate Francesco Depasquale eventually suspended the hearing, throwing all concerned out of his courtroom, after an argument between Mifsud and lawyer Chris Bonnet, who is appearing for Darmanin Demajo, broke out over the line of questioning taken by Bonnet.

Mifsud was testifying in the libel suit he had filed against Darmanin Demajo and the newspaper Illum about allegations of corruption and misappropriation in the MFA. The case is being heard in tandem with another libel claim filed by Mifsud against Darmanin Demajo, journalist Kurt Sansone and MFA media officer Mark Attard about an article published in 2008.

During the sitting, Bonnet had asked Mifsud about the number of bank accounts held by the MFA. Mifsud had insisted that there were more than one. He asked how, then, MFA council member Alex Manfre had testified that the association only had one bank account. Mifsud stuck to his guns, insisting that there were more than one, including accounts with Lombard Bank and Mid Med.

At one point, the magistrate pulled up Mifsud, who was insisting that cross-examination should only take place on the substance of the witnesses testimony, reminding him that he was testifying and not defending the case and asking him to answer the question.

Bonnett made a reference to the witness’ declaration that the former MFA president had used the word “emergency” with regard to funds connected to the Champions League. However Mifsud’s lawyer, Paul Lia, sparked off an angry exchange by telling the court that Bonnett had only said so “for the newspapers.”

Things came to a head when, as the lawyers traded barbs, Bonett slammed his hand on the table. This was the final straw for the presiding magistrate, who was observing the proceedings with distaste.

Depasquale ejected the squabbling lawyers and parties, “Get out of my courtroom now!,” he ordered. “I don’t want you in my sight.”

The case continues on the 15 February.