July 2000

Mon 31

• Lowenbrau Cup Birkirkara vs Valletta 1-1

Sun 30

• Friendly Match Sliema W. vs Naxxar L. 4-1

Fri 28

• The dispute between MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud and treasurer Norman Darmanin Demajo extended itself further as Mifsud wrote to UEFA to ask them to remove Darmanin Demajo from UEFA duties. However it seems that the UEFA Logistics Department did not take this into account as Darmanin Demajo received an appointment for the Champions League game between Dinamo Zagreb and Milan. This was a second 'motion of confidence' for Darmanin Demajo after that an attempt by Dr Mifsud to remove him from two committees within the MFA were defeated by 28 votes to 7 in the MFA council. The UEFA Chief Executive Officer, Gerhard Aigner, was highly impressed by the way Darmanin Demajo had handled the match between Galatasaray and Leeds United after the tragic deaths of two Leeds fans on the eve of the match.

Thu 27

• Friendly Match Iceland vs Malta 5-0
• Six Premier clubs will be sharing the sum of Lm 70,000 donated by UEFA thanks to a new fund from the Champions League dedicated to youth football. These clubs will then have to submit a report to UEFA to explain how they have spent this amount in their youth nursery.
• As part of the MFA Centenary Celebrations, the MFA will be giving a general amnesty to all players and officials who are currently suspended. The two players to benefit most from the amnesty seem to be Kris Laferla and Djebril Sylla who were suspended for five games each.
• An agreement between the MFA and the Gozo FC with regards to the participation of Gozo FC in the competitions organised by the MFA, has been finalised. There is a provision, however, that if the ferry fails to operate (due to rough seas) on the day of matches to be played in Gozo beteen 9 and 10.30am, those matches will be postponed to a later date when they will be played in Malta. However if the two clubs agree, the game may be played in Gozo on another day.
• Referee Charles Agius received an appointment for the World Cup Qualifier between Estonia and Portugal on the 3rd September. His assistants will be Emmanuel Zammit and Philip Agius while the fourth official will be Emmanuel R. Zammit. Lorry Sammut will be controlling the UEFA Cup second round match between Barry Town and Boavista. His assistants will be Joe R. Attard and Ingmar Spiteri while the fourth official will be Saviour Darmanin.

Wed 26

• The conflict between MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud and treasurer Norman Darmanin Demajo took a turn for the worse as attempts by Mifsud to expel Darmanin Demajo from two committes were not accepted by the council and following accusations by Dr Mifsud of 'being there to hamper the association's work', Darmanin Demajo walked out of the hall. Existing regulations stipulate that the treasurer 'shall be the vice-chairman if he is not the chairman of those two committees'. The proposed amendments were approved by the Executive Committee but the council thought otherwise and voted against. Dr Mifsud said that Darmanin Demajo did not agree with the licensing committee and should therefore not form part of it. Darmanin Demajo replied by saying that the aim to make clubs more professional was not being fulfilled by this system. He claimed that "a club does not become professional by filling a simple form about the doctor, nurse and its debts with other clubs. Moreover, I don't agree that clubs should be prohibited from registering new players because they have minor debts with other clubs." Council member Michael Cutajar made a counter-proposal whereby the said committees would have two vice-chairmen and the treasurer shall be the senior vice-chairman. This proposal received received the approval of an overwhelming majority and Darmanin Demajo retained his place in the two committees.
• The MFA announced the new formats for the Reserves and Youths League. The Reserves League will be replacing the Under 21 League. In the Reserves League, ten teams willl be taking part in a one round league in sections A, C and D. Eight teams will be taking part in section B which will be based on two rounds. In the Youths League, nine teams will be taking part in a two-rounds league in each of sections A, B and C. Ten teams will be taking part in section D which will be based on one round.
• Friendly Matches Valletta vs Pietą Hotspurs 4-1 Goals by Chris Oretan (2), Clive Mizzi, Pavel Mraz (V); Marco Graziani (P). Sliema W. vs Xghajra T. 1-1 Goals by Lino Galea (S); Angel Terzyski (X)

Tue 25

• Only four Premier clubs - Birkirkara, Hibernians, Pietą Hotspurs and Rabat Ajax - have regularised their position for the coming season. The MFA had granted licences to all the clubs but on condition that they all had to regularise their position with respect to the MFA rules. Although these four clubs may sign new players but only if these are coming from a club which has already regularised its position. Another two clubs, Valletta and Sliema Wanderers, are expected to be given the go-ahead this week.
• Louis Micallef is expected to be named as the new MFA general secretary to replace Joe Sacco who resigned due to health reasons. Louis Micallef was the Press Officer of the association. In past, he had occupied the post of general secretary of the Malta Basketball Association.

Sat 22

• The dispute between MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud and treasurer Norman Darmanin Demajo came out into the open during the Annual General Meeting which was held at the MFA Centenary Stadium Conference Hall. At the end of the meeting, Mifsud said that he has no confidence in the treasurer. He said that one cannot run MFA affairs through the telephone without attend important meetings He also asked Darmanin Demajo to resign. Darmanin Demajo replied that he was very worried with how things were going on for the past months and that no budget was being made for certain projects. Darmanin Demajo said that for the Centenary Stadium which was due to cost Lm200,000, the MFA has spent four times as much. Similarly for the National Stadium East Stand, although the plan was to spend about Lm2 million, there was already an excess expenditure of Lm600,000 and will probably end up with costing around Lm3 million. The treasurer said that this excess amount of money could have better been spent for building new grounds with artificial turf pitches, especially for youth football. Darmanin Demajo said he felt he had done nothing wrong and so he had no reason to resign for. Meanwhile MFA General Secretary Joe Sacco have tendered his resignation after 18 years because of health reasons.
• MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud announced that from the England-Malta friendly, the MFA made a profit of Lm150,000. He also said that next January another big team will visit Malta for a friendly game which would yield a profit of another Lm100,000.
  Mifsud said that the set-up of the Licensing Committee was meant to regulate the expenditure of local clubs. He said that three main aspects had to be observed: clubs have to obey the rules covering the players' salaries, transfers' parameters have to be observed and finally, no money is used for corruption.
  Mifsud also said that ten players of a Premier club (Floriana) have written to the MFA complaining that they are not receiving their salaries. Third Division clubs complained that they are spending Lm550 each to make use of the Centenary Stadium, a very heavy burden for most clubs. Dr Mifsud replied by saying that they are using one of the best facilities in Europe and so they have to pay for it.
  The MFA's excess of income over expenditure for the past season was that of Lm326,055. The MFA has Lm2,019,086 in fixed assets and Lm796,365, inciuding Lm266,736 as investments and Lm276,517 as cash at bank. The expenditure related to the national teams and the youth develop­ment programmes of the MFA amounted to Lm227,790.
  An increase in attendances was registered during the past season. In the Premier Division, there was an increase of 3361 spectators for a total of 121,285 spectators attended the 132 matches for an average of 918 spectators for each game.

• The Financial Report

  The MFA's excess of income over expenditure for the past season was that of Lm326,055. The MFA received Lm349,368 received from FIFA and UEFA subsidies and refunds. The association received Lm262,628 from international matches. In all, the total income was Lm730,732.
  
  The expenditure amounted to Lm318,122. Salaries amounted to Lm73,000, Centenary celebration expenses - Lm24,000, presentations and awards, travelling and accommodation - Lm25,000), among other things. The excess of income over expenditure, amounted to Lm326,055 which, carried forward to the accumulated fund, leaves a global amount of Lm 1,107,479.
  
  The MFA has Lm2,019,086 in fixed assets and Lm796,365, inciuding Lm266,736 as investments and Lm276,517 as cash at bank. The creditors of the MFA (amounts falling due within one year) are Lm772,207, leaving the current net assets at Lm994,652.
  
  The expenditure related to the national teams and the youth develop­ment programmes of the MFA amounted to Lm227,790. This includes the national team players' training allowances - Lm22,615, bonus and appear­ance money - Lm13,956, travelling expenses and accommodation - Lm75,215, technical sector's expenses - Lm17,510, kits and training equipment - Lm65,259 and food and beverages - Lm22,667.
  
  The Millennium stand is estimated to cost Lm2,650,000. Demolition and excavation works amounted to Lm65,000 while the construction works have amounted to Lm86,317 so far. The MFA has also spent Lm228,638 on ground and canopy steel structures and Lm13,935 for the architects' fees.
  
  Gate-money at the National Stadium amounted to Lm49,797, while Lm37,725 were earned from advertising and Lm9,100 from broadcasting rights. Expenditure related to operating the stadium totalled to Lm94,491. The excess of income over expenditure was Lm20,793.
  
  The Centenary Stadium income in its first year amounted to Lm16,711 while the expenditure was Lm10,248. At the MFA Techincal Centre and Training Grounds, there was a total income of Lm44,481 despite the decrease of the number of foreign teams using the centre.
  
  

  The Administrative Report

  An increase in attendances was registered during the past season. In the Premier Division, a total of 121,285 spectators attended the 132 matches for an average of 918 spectators for each game. Although the increase was that of just 3361 spectators, the fact that there was an increase in prices and that some matches were played in Gozo were pointed out. In Division 1, there was an increase of 3,399 spectators for a total of 10,030, an average of 111 spectators for each game. The attendances in the Second Division increased by 3,591 for a total of 8,120 and an average of 104 spectators for each game. No figures were given for the Third Division.
  
  The only decrase in attendances was registered in the Rothmans Trophy, Lowenbrau Cup and Super 5 Competition.

Fri 21

• Birkirkara have reported the Welsh referee Simon Morgan of last Wednesday's match against KR Reykjavik too the UEFA delegate, for alleged insulting behaviour towards the Birkirkara players during the match.
• Friendly Match Valletta vs Xghajra T. 3-1 ... Goals by Chris Oretan and Pavel Mraz (2)

Thu 20

• Season 2000-01 in domestic football will be starting off on the 31st July with the first game of the Lowenbrau Cup between champions Birkirkara and Valletta. The second game will be held on the 3rd August between Sliema Wanderers and the losers of the first game while Sliema will be meeting the winners of the first game on the 5th. In the event of a draw between Birkirkara and Valletta, Sliema play Birkirkara in the second game and Valletta in the third.
• Addressing a news conference, before the draws of the Lowenbrau Cup, MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud said he believed there were several factors which were leading to the disappointing results, especially the lack of professional preparation plans by the clubs concerned. He claimed players are not putting in their maximum effort despite the good salaries they are being paid. Dr Mifsud announced that the MFA Executive Committee had approved the setting up of a Football Development Committee to help improving the levels of club football which have remained very low. Dr Mifsud said he hoped to meet the Minister of the Interior to discuss ways and means of combating incidents at football stadiums.
• Sliema Wanderers signed a one-year sponsorship agreement with Royal Bedding Co Ltd.

Wed 19

• UEFA Champions League - First Qualifying Round KR Reykjavik (ICE) vs Birkirkara 4-1 ... Aggregate Score 6-2

Tue 18

• On Wednesday, local champions Birkirkara play in Reykjavik against Icelandic champions KR Reykjavik in the second leg of the First Qualifying Round of the UEFA Champions League. Their mission is to win with a two-goal difference after suffering a 1-2 defeat at Ta' Qali. So all they have to do is abandon all defensive plans and go out in search of goals. This is no easy task as besides Antoine Zahra and Djordje Pintac, the Stripes will have goalie Robert Savic missing after dislocating a shoulder in the first leg. KR will be strengthened with the inclusion of two players who missed the first leg. Whoever qualifies will be meeting Brondby of Denmark in the Second Qualifying Round starting next week.

Sun 16

• The mysterious top world-class who could have made a guest appearance for Birkirkara FC in the friendly game against Manchester United on the 9th August is Diego Armado Maradona, the former Argentine international. The Sunday Mirror reported on Sunday that Birkirkara had contacted Maradona and he had asked a six-figure fee. However it is now clear that Manchester United were not ready to accept Maradona's presence during any moment of the game because of his involvement with cocaine. Therefore the only guest player for Birkirkara is going to be the son of Libyan president Colonel Gaddafi, Saadi Gaddafi.
• The national squad, under the guide of national coach Josif Ilic, travels to Iceland on Sunday for a training camp. During this training camp, the team will be playing a friendly game against Iceland on the 27th. The squad is made up of Barry (Sliema), Muscat (Hibs), Darmanin (Pietą), Chetcuti (Valletta), Debono (Valletta), Said (Floriana), Spiteri (Birkirkara), Dimech (Sliema), Okonkwo (Naxxar), Theuma (Valletta), Brincat (Birkirkara), Camilleri (Sliema), Carabott (Valletta), Holland (Floriana), Turner (Sliema), Giglio (Valletta), Sylla (Gozo), Zahra (Birkirkara), Agius (Valletta), Busuttil (Sliema), Mallia (Floriana), Mifsud (Sliema), Nwoko (Birkirkara) and Veselji (Valletta). Ernest Barry will join the squad on Thursday after a trial with English Second Division side Millwall. The Birkirkara players will also join the squad after playing in the second leg of the Champions League Qualifying Round against KR Reykjavik.

Sat 15

• During a press conference, it has been announced that Manchester United will be arriving in Malta in full strength on the 6th August from Munich where they will be playing in a tournament with Bayern, Galtasaray and Real Madrid. Man Utd will be playing against Birkirkara on the 9th at Ta' Qali. Birkirkara are trying to bring a world-class player as a guest. However since his financial requests are too demanding and failure to find sponsors will cancel the visit of this player. Saadi Gaddafi should also play as a guest for the Stripes.
• Eight coaches who formed part of the MFA Youth Sector claimed that they were removed from their posts without any reason at all by the MFA Technical Director Horst Heese. These coaches are Joe Micallef, Leonard Farrugia, Dennis Fenech, Ray Xuereb, Charles Borg Sant, JoJo Bajada, Brian Bartolo and Charles Sciberras. These eight coaches, three of which have been coaching within the MFA youth sector for several years, claimed that they were never consulted and that Heese had only met them once in four months. They also said that they will be replaced by coaches, including ones who lack experience and qualifications.

Fri 14

• UEFA has not accepted a request by Birkirkara to sign a new goalkeeper as a replacement for Robert Savic before the return leg against KR Reykjavik on Wednesday. Therefore Birkirkara's two goalkeepers will be Charles Sciberras and promising youngster Sean Cini. They would be able to register new players only if they reach the next round. Robert Savic sustained a shoulder injury in the 17th minute and although at first it was thought that it would take him about six weeks to recover, it seems that now it would take him from four to six months.
• The Malta Under-21 side yesterday beat a selection from Niedesmoss, Germany, 2-0. Both goals were scored by William Camenzuli and Claude Mattocks in the second half. The Maltese squad, under the guidance of coach Ray 'Zazu' Farrugia, is currently on a training camp in Laubach.

Thu 13

• During the Annual General Meeting of the Gozo Football Association, it was decided that the GFA was going to accept the conditions imposed on them by the other MFA clubs in order to take part in the MFA First Division league but will be playing 'under protest' as a sign of respect for the Gozo FC players and for the Gozo FC supporters.

Wed 12

• UEFA Champions League - First Qualifying Round Birkirkara vs KR Reykjavik 1-2
• Although all Premier Division clubs have been issued with a license to e able to operate during the new season, most of the clubs have not satisfied all the regulations established by the MFA. These clubs are prohibited from involving themselves in any transfer deal. Clubs have up to the end of July to regularise themselves.
• As from this season, the Under 21 League will be replaced by the Reserves' League. On the other hand, as from season 2000-01, clubs in the Youth League will not be placed according to their league status but will take part in a league based on promotion and relegation.
• Two local referees will be controlling matches from the UEFA Champions League. Joe Attard will control Llansantffraid (WAL) - Levadia Maardu (EST) in Wales while Emmanuel R Zammit was appointed as referee for the game between Glasgow Rangers and the winners of the game between Zalgiris (LIT) and Brontjo (BOS).

Tue 11

• The draws for the MFA leagues were held this evening. They resulted as follows:
  Premier: Naxxar L. vs Birkirkara, Sliema W. vs Hibernians, Pietą H. vs Hamrun S., Floriana vs Rabat A. and Xghajra T. vs Valletta. (The Premier League will kick-off on the 19th August with the first two matches. Another two will be played on the 20th and another one on the 21st.)
  Division 1: Marsa vs St. Andrews, Qormi vs Zurrieq, Gozo vs Tarxien R., St. Patrick vs Mosta and Marsaxlokk vs Lija A.
  Division 2: Melita vs Sta. Venera L., Mellieha vs St. Lucia, Zebbug R. vs Mqabba, Balzan Y. vs Gzira U., Dingli S. vs Luqa SA and Attard vs Siggiewi
  Division 3: Ghaxaq vs Pembroke A., Sirens vs St. George's, Ta' Xbiex vs Msida SJ, Mgarr U. vs San Gwann, Fgura U. vs Birzebbuga SP, Gharghur vs Gudja U., Senglea A. vs Zejtun C. and Vittoriosa S. vs Kirkop U.
  Division 2/3 Knock-Out: Group 1 - Melita, Mellieha, Ghaxaq, Sirens; Group 2 - Sta. Venera L., Sta. Lucia, Pembroke A., St. George's; Group 3 - Zebbug R., Balzan Y., Ta' Xbiex, Mgarr U.; Group 4 - Mqabba, Gzira U., Msida SJ, San Gwann; Group 5 - Dingli S., Fgura U., Gharghur; Group 6 - Luqa SA, Birzebbuga SP, Gudja U.; Group 7 - Attard, Senglea A., Vittoriosa S.; Group 8 - Siggiewi, Zejtun C., Kirkop U.
• The MFA held its annual presentation of awards for season 1999/2000 at the Centenary Hall at Ta' Qali last night. The top officials and club representatives who attended were addressed by MFA president Dr Joseph Mifsud. An unexpected guest was former national coach Pietro Ghedin who was the assistant coach of the Italian team together with Cesare Maldini and Dino Zoff and who has now joined the technical staff of Marco Tardelli's Under-21 side. He is currently in Malta on holiday.

Mon 10

• Birkirkara FC will be playing next Wednesday in the First Qualifying Round of the UEFA Champions league against KR Reykjavik of Iceland. The Stripes will be missing Antoine Zahra and Djordje Pintac both injured but will have their latest signing, Romanian midfielder Adrian Popescu. Saadi Gaddafi who was due to play for Birkirkara in the Champions League pulled out due to other commitments with the Libyan national team. Carlo Mamo, who was on loan with Birkirkara last season, is also out of the game as Birkirkara and his former club Tarxien have not yet reached an agreement on his transfer.

Sun 9

• In view of the World Cup 2002 qualifiers, the national squad, under the guide of national coach Josif Ilic and his assistant Ray 'Zazu' Farrugia, started their pre-season training on Thursday at the Centenary Stadium. The squad will be travelling to Iceland for a training camp, starting next Sunday. There were some changes in the squad as veteran John Buttigieg of Valletta together with Adrian Mifsud and Adrian Ciantar, both of Hibs, and Valletta's Edward Azzopardi were dropped. They were replaced by three Under-21 players, Stefan Giglio, Michael Mifsud and Dybril Sylla. The complete squad will be made up of Ernest Barry (Sliema), Mario Muscat (Hibs), Saviour Darmanin (Pietą), Jeffrey Chetcuti (Valletta), Darren Debono (Valletta), Brian Said (Floriana), Michael Spiteri (B'Kara), Luke Dimech (Sliema), Digger Okonkwo (Naxxar), Daniel Theuma (Valletta), Joe Brincat (B'Kara), David Camilleri (Sliema), David Carabott (Valletta), Jonathan Holland (Floriana), Noel Turner (Sliema), Stefan Giglio (Valletta), Djebriel Sylla (Gozo), Antoine Zahra (B'Kara), Gilbert Agius (Valletta), Carmel Busuttil (Sliema), George Mallia (Floriana), Michael Mifsud (Sliema), Chucks Nwoko (B'Kara) and Nenad Veselji (Valletta). However Barry will be missing as he is on trial with Millwall while the Birkirkara players will be playing in the Champions League Qualifying Round.
• Ray Farrugia's Under-21 squad leaves Malta today for a nine-day training camp in Frankfurt, Germany. As Giglio, Mifsud and Sylla joined the senior side, new players namely Birkirkara's Roderick Briffa and Hibernians' Miguel Mifsud (ex-Xghajra), were included in the 19-man squad. The players are Matthew Camilleri (Floriana), Justin Haber (Floriana), Paul Psaila (Luqa), Mark Anthony Bonnici (Sliema), Roderick Briffa (B'Kara), Rennie Forace (Valletta), Massimo Grima (Sliema), Carlo Mamo (Tarxien), Adrian Pulis (St. Patrick), Victor Bellia (Naxxar), Etienne Barbara (Floriana), William Camenzuli (Floriana), Joseph Farrugia (Sliema), Claude Mattocks (Floriana), Kevin Sammut (Sliema), Anatole Debono (Sliema), William Borg (Rabat), Miguel Mifsud (Hibernians) and Daniel Bogdanovic (no club).

Sat 8

• Birkirkara FC were the first club to settle the pending payments according to the new MFA regulations. They paid the last sum of money to Rabat Ajax, which formed part of the Michael Cutajar transfer four years ago.
• Lorry Sammut was appointed as referee for the UEFA Intertoto Cup match between NK Primorje and Zenith St. Petersburg. The assistant referees are Joe R. Attard and Ingmar Spiteri.

Fri 7

• Valletta FC were fined Lm2400 by the MFA Disciplinary Board following the incidents caused by their supporters during and after the Rothmans Trophy semi-final against Sliema Wanderers last May. They were fined Lm900 for damaging 74 ground seats and for using abusive language. They were also fined Lm1,356 for the damages caused to cars and other properties after their supporters allegedly threw stones and other hard objects at the VIP area outside the National Stadium. They were also fined for breaching MFA regulations by issuing a press release in which they attacked an opposing player and the match officials.

Thu 6

• Two other Premier clubs will be starting their pre-season training. Naxxar Lions start on Friday 7th, for the first time under the guide of former national team goalkeepers' coach, Dragan Zivkovic. Rabat Ajax started their pre-season training on Monday 3rd. Pietà Hotspurs started training last Monday under the guide of coach Freddie Cutajar and manager Marco Savia.

Wed 5

• Malta improved its ranking by one place in the FIFA World Ranking list as published today. Last month, Malta was ranked 118th but now Malta moved to the 117th place just behind Kazakhstan but in front of Faroe Islands. Malta is 46th among the 51 members of UEFA. In fact, the Faroe Islands are in the 118th place, Luxembourg 137th, Liechtenstein 138th, Andorra 150th and San Marino 164th.

Mon 3

• The two clubs which will be taking part in the UEFA Cup against Partizan Belgrade of Yugoslavia and Rijeka of Croatia start their pre-season training this week. Valletta will be starting their pre-season training on the 3rd July while Sliema start on Wednesday.
• Malta U/14 placed second in the Torneo Internazionale Giovani Promesse which is being held in Assemini, Sardinia. Malta first won the final between the winners of Group I and II after beating Muravera 2-0. However in te final of the Super Coppa, Malta U/14 lost to Torres Sassari 4-2.

Sun 2

• Malta U/14 won the third game of the Torneo Internazionale Giovani Promesse which is being held in Assemini, Sardinia. Malta won Group I after beating beat Serramano 5-1 and will now be contesting the final of the tournament.

Sat 1

• When the elections for UEFA's executive committee were held on Saturday, MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud was reconfirmed as one of the members. Joe Mifsud collected 26 votes, one more than former (FIGC) Italian FA president, Antonio Matarrese, who was left out after 12 years. The other six elected members are Marios Lefkaritis (Cyprus), Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder (Germany), Jeu Sprengers (Netherlands), Per Ravn Omdal (Norway), Claude Simonet (France) and Geoff Thompson (England). In a separate election to decide UEFA's four representatives on FIFA's executive committee, Mifsud lost his seat to Viacheslav Koloskov of Russia. But since Mifsud remains a FIFA executive member until August, he will be eligible to vote for the hosting nation for the 2006 World Cup finals next Thursday.
• Eight clubs were banned from negotiating any transfer of players as long as they do not regularise themselves with pending payments to their players. These clubs are Birkirkara, Floriana, Hamrun Spartans, Naxxar Lions, Rabat Ajax, Sliema Wanderers, Valletta and Xghajra Tornadoes. This follows the result of the investigations carried by the MFA Licensing Committee which issues the new licences to all clubs within the MFA. In all there are 17 clubs who owe payments to their players. The others are Gozo FC, Marsa, St. Patrick, St. Andrews and Zurrieq from Division 1, Gzira United, Zebbug Rangers and Siggiewi in Division 2 and Pembroke Athleta in Division 3. All the Premier clubs, except Xghajra, were given an A licence, that is they should have at least 11 non-amateur players, while newly-promoted Xghajra have a B-status, that is they may have more than 5 non-amateur players.