Harsher anti-corruption Bill gains support of football association

The Malta Football Association has expressed its “totally supports” the Bill proposed by its anti-corruption task force, which aims to clamp down on corruption and match-fixing in the sport.

At a meeting of the Malta FA Executive Committee, held on Thursday afternoon, Chetcuti highlighted the key points of the proposed anti-corruption Bill, which has been drafted by the Office of the Attorney General.

“The Malta FA executive committee stands full square behind the anti-corruption task force’s proposed Bill and every effort being made to tackle the match-fixing plight not only in football but sports in general,” Angelo Chetcuti, General Secretary of the Malta FA, said.

The anti-corruption task force – which includes government, Opposition, police and Malta Gaming Authority representatives – was set up in 2015 to draft the Bill which will replace current match-fixing laws, which date back to 1976.

The Bill proposes harsher punishments in the form of effective prison sentences to anyone who engages in the manipulation, not just of the outcome but any of the aspects of a sporting event, and sets outs a series of aggravating circumstances.

The provision of inside information to third parties for illicit purposes is also recognised as an offence in the draft Bill, which also stipulates that the punishment for athletes found guilty of bribery offences while representing the country rises by one degree.