Birkirkara FC denied UEFA license, Valletta FC to play Europa League

The Malta Football Association has rejected the appeal filed by Birkirkara FC, ratifying the decision of the MFA Members Club Licensing Board which had denied the club a UEFA license for 2017/18.

Birkirkara's UEFA licence application was rejected after it was unable to satisfy all the requirements of the licencing process, bring to an end the team’s record of 20 consecutive years’ participation in European football.

Valletta FC will now be replacing Birkirkara in the Europea League next season.

The UEFA licence is a necessary requirement in order to participate in European competitions, and Birkirkara FC were the only club not to be given the license this year.

The MFA gives the UEFA licence to clubs who first of all apply for it. Moreover, clubs must not have any overdue payments towards other clubs, players and inland revenue.

The club had appealed the decision on 25 April, highlighting its position and various shortcomings by the Licensing Board in reaching its decision.

Last season Birkirkara made a historic progress after reaching the Europa League’s third round. The Stripes eliminated Bosnia’s Siroki and Scotland’s Hearts before losing to Russia’s Krasnodar.

The season before, Birkirkara reached the penalty shoot-outs against West Ham United after beating the Hammers at the Ta’ Qali Stadium.