Valletta FC says Momentum turning land handover into partisan issue

Valletta FC said it is disappointment the “historic step” of securing its “long-overude home” is being reduced to "tribal political rhetoric" by Momentum.

They argued the current situation creates an asymmetrical playing field since other clubs have been allowed to benefit from public land in the past, calling this a “structural disadvantage” for Valletta FC.

On Friday, the club posted a statement on their Facebook page, accusing Momentum Chairperson Arnold Cassola of taking a position against Valletta FC without taking the time to properly understand the context of the project.

“One would expect the chairperson of a political party to verify the facts, rather than relying on narratives that are rooted in long-standing prejudice towards Valletta and its community,” read the statement.

They explained that the club was granted land in Ħal Farruġ in 2012 into which they invested significant time and resources. However, Valletta FC was then informed that the long-awaited development could not proceed since the site had been earmarked for alternative uses.

In 2020, the land was taken back by the government, and Valletta FC was allocated a former dumping ground in Luqa. The government expressed their commitment in ensuring that the land would be rendered suitable for development. 

Despite these commitments, once the scale and cost of the required works became evident, the project was quickly abandoned, leaving the club without their own training grounds.

“For over 25 years, our children have trained without a proper football home,” they said. “This project is about correcting that injustice, not about political colours.”

Valletta FC went on to express their appreciation towards both the government and the Opposition’s support to make this happen, in what they described as a spirit of unity across party lines.

“We will not allow the dreams of children to be drawn into partisan agendas, something clearly demonstrated by the unanimous backing of the project in parliament,” they concluded.

Momentum’s reply to Valletta FC

Momentum issued a swift response on Saturday morning, stressing the party believes every football club deserves a proper home, with Valletta FC being no exception.

Matthew Agius, election candidate for Momentum affirmed that the party stands with the children of Valletta FC and that this is why they are seeking a sustainable approach to the project.

“What is in dispute is whether Pembroke is the right place for it, and whether residents have given a meaningful say in that decision,” they said.

Momentum reiterated that they have put forward an alternative plan, where top-notch facilities for Valletta FC can replace the dismantled Marsa Power Station.

As illustrated above, Momentum noted that the Marsa site would be closer to Valletta while giving the abandoned land a new life (Photo: Momentum)

This solution would hit two birds with one stone, allowing the abandoned power station to be given a new life, while simultaneously serving the genuine needs of Valletta FC without placing the burden on an already pressured community in Pembroke.

They also noted that the site would also be very close to Valletta, unlike the site in Pembroke.

The party explained that their position has never been against the club, but against the continued practice of allocating public land for large-scale development without full transparency, proper environmental assessment, and public consultation with the residents affected.

“This principle applies regardless of who the beneficiary is,” Momentum said. “It applies to Manoel island, it applies to Comino, it applies to Marsaskala… and it applies here.”

They elaborated that the site in question sits beside a Natura 2000 protected area, in a locality they say has already been absorbed by other major developments.

“Pembroke residents have watched development after development on their doorstep,” Agius said. “Each time, they were told to accept it. Each time, their quality of life paid the price.”

A coalition of organisations along with Pembroke residents also raised serious concerns over the Pembroke plans, warning the project could have significant environmental and social impacts on the locality, launching a parliamentary petition gathering over 2,000 signatures.

Momentum reflected that the families of Pembroke are also a community, whose children also play in those streets, who grow up in those homes, and who deserve to be heard.