National Plan proposed in the fight against corruption in Sport

The first Anti-Corruption and Transparency Experts’ Task-Force which was held at the Grant Hotel Excelsior in Floriana, resulted in an anonymous agreement that corruption in Football needs to start being seriously tackled if Maltese Football is to move away from persistent corruption claims. 

A National action plan; which was the main talking point in the meetings’ agenda, is understood to be in plan which would see certain criminal laws to be amended in an effort to promote and strengthen integrity in sport.

The Task Force which is made up of members from the Malta Football Association, The Ministry of Justice and representatives from the movement ‘Zghazagh u Sport’ among others, agreed upon the implementation of amending certain rules and regulation in the fight against corruption in sport.

MFA General Secretary Bjorn Vassallo said that all representatives making up the Task Force are aware of the importance of fighting corruption in order to protect and maintain the true values of sport.  Vassallo admitted that while match fixing in Football is a problem which is affecting all countries in the world; it is also a societal problem which can have severe implications on the future of sport in our country.

Deputy Carmelo Abela and Parliamentary Secretary Chris Agius both agreed that all involved in the game must join forces in an effort to keep the sport clean and move away from the uncertainties which has surrounded Maltese Football and most definitely damaged the credibility of the sport in Malta.

MFA Integrity Officer Franz Tabone, highlighted the work done by the present MFA administration, pointing out to 120 different activities initiated by the organisation and through which have enabled the association to better understand how to handle delicate issues such as corruption.

Vice President Dr. Chris Bonnett presented the proposed National Plan to be implemented in the attempt to amend current sporting rules and regulations with the aim of increasing harsher penalties and suspension to those found guilty of breaching the rules.

Present in the meeting were Dr. Dominic Micallef from the Malta Gaming Authoriry, and Dr. Karen Zammit from the Kunsill Malti ghall-Isport.