MFA appeals board overturns three-match suspension for Marsaxlokk player

The Malta FA Appeals Board has overturned a three-match suspension issued to Marsaxlokk FC player Jose Ulises Arias, ruling that there was insufficient evidence to uphold the original disciplinary decision.

The board delivered its ruling on 11 November 2025 following a viva voce hearing requested by the club.

The suspension had been imposed by the MFA Commissioner of Discipline on 4 November after an altercation erupted at the end of a YoHealth Malta Premier League match between Marsaxlokk and Hibernians on 1 November at the Victor Tedesco Stadium. According to the referee’s report, a mass confrontation broke out after the final whistle, allegedly involving several individuals.

Marsaxlokk appealed the decision under Articles 22(i)(a) and 22(i)(c) of the MFA statute, arguing that Arias had not been given a prior opportunity to defend himself, that visibility during the incident had been hindered, and that the referee’s identification of the player could not be considered reliable given the circumstances.

The club also maintained that the report lacked sufficient detail and that any escalation had been provoked solely by Hibernians players.

During the hearing, witnesses Julian Attard and Jake Ghio testified that they had not seen Arias involved in any physical confrontation. The board found that the evidence presented did not substantiate the allegation that Arias committed a “minor assault not causing bodily harm,” the offence for which he had originally been sanctioned.

It further noted that even the referee’s report did not clearly state that Arias had delivered any blows, only that he had “adopted a fighting attitude.”

In its decision, the Appeals Board revoked the three-match suspension and instead found Arias guilty of a lesser infringement under Article 8B(1)(e), which relates to adopting a threatening or aggressive attitude. Marsaxlokk FC was fined €20 in relation to the offence, and the board ordered that €400 be refunded to the club.

The board was chaired by lawyer David Fabri, with members Tony Borg and Kevin Polidano, and Secretary lawyer Shaban Ben Taher in attendance.

Lawyers Maurice Meli and Nicole Vella Galea represented Jose Ulises Arias.