August 2000

Thu 31

• Two important FIFA meetings, that of the Players' Status Committee and that of the Committee of Legal Matters were held on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Sliema. Following these meetings, FIFA General Secretary Michel Zen-Ruffinen addressed a press conference together with MFA President Dr Joe Mifsud. Zen-Ruffinen said that among the targets of FIFA, they want to limit the age of young players who could be transferred from one continent to another, guarantee small clubs compensation for developing future top players and to make sure that players cannot be free to leave at any time without a transfer fee as the European Union is trying to impose.
  The FIFA Players' Status Committee discussed twenty disputes and the revised Players' Agents Regulations in view of a meeting between FIFA and UEFA to be held on Thursday which will be formulating the proposals for adaptation of the international transfer regulations which will then be submitted to the European Commission. FIFA is trying to find a consensual solution to current problems in its negotiations with the European Commission. However, the world governing body - and especially UEFA, which is most affected - will persist with their opinions in those areas in which the imposition of European Union demands would inflict irreparable damage on football everywhere. These areas include footballers' legal status, the minimum duration of their contracts with clubs, protection and compensation for clubs training footballers and legislation to combat the transfer of minors outside official footballing circles. The EU has proposed that players should be free to leave at any time, without a transfer fee. The European Union's executive Commission has told FIFA and UEFA to come up with an alternative to the existing transfer system which it claims is too restrictive. Talks between the EU, FIFA and UEFA, which started in February, 1999, have so far yielded no results. The Commission is therefore pressing ahead with work on a new rule saying that, in line with employees in other professions, footballers should be able to leave their employment at any time even while under contract, and clubs should not have the power to demand a transfer fee.
• Two Rabat Ajax players, Keith Fenech and Michael Farrugia, were suspended for one game by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner and will therefore miss the game against Sliema on the 9th September. Another player who was sent off in the same match, Brian Bonnici of Xghajra was suspended also for one match and will therefore miss his team's next match against Hamrun next Tuesday.
• Referee Charles Agius received an appointment to control Sunday's World Cup Group 2 qualifier between Estonia and Portugal in Tallinn. He will be assisted by Philip Agius and Gaetano Degabriele and fourth official Emanuel R. Zammit.
• Division 2 & 3 Knock-Out Ghaxaq vs Melita 1-2, Sirens vs Mellieha 0-1

Wed 30

• The presidents of all the Premier League clubs had a meeting with MFA treasurer Norman Darmanin Demajo. One of the items in discussion as a possible solution to the dispute between Darmanin Demajo and Dr Joe Mifsud was a proposal to try and lure Dr George Abela, a former MFA president, back to the MFA fold.
• National coach Josif Ilic and Under 21 national coach Ray 'Zazu' Farrugia named the squad for the the first match from the World Cup Qualifying Round against Northern Ireland in Belfast on the Saturday and the Under 21 Championship match against the same country on Friday. Chucks Nwoko, Stefan Giglio and Gilbert Agius will be missing the game due to injuries. The 18 players are Ernest Barry, Luke Dimech, David Camilleri, Djebril Sylla, Noel Turner, Carmel Busuttil (Sliema); Mario Muscat (Hibernians); David Carabott, Jeffrey Chetcuti, Darren Debono, Daniel Theuma, Nenad Veselji (Valletta); Digger Okonkwo (Naxxar); Brian Said, Jonathan Holland, George Mallia (Floriana); Joe Brincat, Antoine Zahra (Birkirkara). The Under 21 squad is made up of Matthew Camilleri, Justin Haber, Etienne Barbara, Claude Mattocks (Floriana); William Camenzuli, Kenneth Scicluna, Michael Galea (Birkirkara); Rennie Forace (Valletta); Massimo Grima, Mark Anthony Bonnici, Kevin Sammut, Michael Mifsud (Sliema W.); Victor Bellia (Naxxar); Carlo Mamo (Tarxien R.); Adrian Pulis, Aaron Xuereb, Miguel Mifsud (Hibernians); William Borg (Rabat A.).

Mon 28

• Premier League Valletta vs Sliema W. 2-2

Sun 27

• Premier League Rabat A. vs Xghajra T. 3-3, Hamrun S. vs Floriana 2-1
• National coach Josif Ilic named a 23-man squad for the the first match from the FIFA 2002 World Cup Qualifying Round Group 3 against Northern Ireland in Belfast on the 2nd September. Players like Ernest Barry, Jeffrey Chetcuti, Joe Brincat, Digger Okonkwo, Michael Spiteri and Nenad Veselji, who missed the Moldova friendly last week were included. However this squad will be trimmed to 18 men on Monday after the Premier League game between Valletta and Sliema. The squad is made up of Ernest Barry, Luke Dimech, David Camilleri, Djebril Sylla, Noel Turner, Carmel Busuttil (Sliema); Mario Muscat (Hibernians); Saviour Darmanin (Pietà); David Carabott, Jeffrey Chetcuti, Darren Debono, Daniel Theuma, Stefan Giglio, Gilbert Agius, Nenad Veselji (Valletta); Digger Okonkwo (Naxxar); Brian Said, Jonathan Holland, George Mallia (Floriana); Michael Spiteri, Joe Brincat, Antoine Zahra and Chucks Nwoko (Birkirkara). Ray 'Zazu' Farrugia's Under 21 squad is made up of Matthew Camilleri, Justic Haber, Etienne Barbara, Claude Mattocks (Floriana); Paul Psaila (Luqa SA), William Camenzuli, Kenneth Scicluna (both Birkirkara); Rennie Forace (Valletta); Massimo Grima, Mark Anthony Bonnici, Joseph Farrugia (Sliema W.), Carlo Mamo (Tarxien R.), Adrian Pulis, Aaron Xuereb, Miguel Mifsud (Hibernians), Victor Bellia (Naxxar L.); Kevin Sammut (Hamrun S.); William Borg (Rabat A.) and Anatole Debono (Pietà H.).

Sat 26

• Premier League Hibernians vs Naxxar L. 3-0, Birkirkara vs Pietà H. 4-1

Fri 25

• FIFA announced that it will be holding a meeting of the FIFA Players' Status Committee on the 29th August in Malta where the main topic is going to be international transfers and the proposals for adaptation of international transfer regulations. Both FIFA and UEFA are working hard to find a solution for the imposition of the European Commission with regards the freedom of movement of workers, in this case, footballers.
• Sirens Tournament Qormi vs Sta. Lucia 1-1

Thu 24

• UEFA Cup - Preliminary Round Valletta FC vs NK Rijeka (CRO) 4-5, Partizan Belgrade (YUG) vs Sliema W. 4-1

Wed 23

• In a press conference on the eve of the UEFA Cup Qualifying Round second leg against Croatian side NK Rijeka, Valletta FC coach Krassmir Manolov said that although Thursday's game is a very difficult one, he is confident that the Citizens can manage to beat Rijeka and therefore qualify for the First Round of the competition. The Bulgarian coach stated that he counts mostly on the the Valletta supporters who will be his team's twelfth player. The Citizens still have Stefan Giglio and Gilbert Agius doubtful and a final decision whether the two influential players will be included or not will be taken on Thursday morning. Two weeks ago in Rijeka, Valletta had managed to take the lead thanks to Stefan Giglio but Rijeka turned the result in their favour with goals by Mijatovic. Ten-man Valletta equalised with a Chris Oretan goal three minutes from time but the Croatian side converted a penalty by Hasancic two minutes later.
• Sliema Wanderers suffered a major setback one day before the UEFA Cup Qualifying Round second leg match against Partizan Belgrade when former Nigerian international defender Augustine Eguavon had to pull out of the squad after sustaining an injury in the first league game against Hibernians. Also missing for Sliema is young striker Michael Mifsud, who is still unfit after an operation. But on the other hand, Luke Dimech returns after a one-match suspension. The Wanderers carry a one-goal lead and therefore a draw or a 0-1 defeat would be enough for Sliema to make it to the First Round of the competition. A 1-2 defeat would force extra-time. In the first leg, Sliema had defeated Partizan 2-1 with goals by Djebril Sylla and Carmel Busuttil for the Blues and Sasa Ilic for the Zebras of Belgrade.
• Mosta Tournament Balzan Y. vs Mosta 2-2

Tue 22

• Sirens Tournament Sirens vs Sta. Lucia 6-3
• Mosta Tournament St Andrew's vs St Patrick 2-1

Mon 21

• Premier League Naxxar L. vs Birkirkara 0-1
• A 19-man Sliema Wanderers squad leaves Malta on Monday morning on its way to Yugoslavia where the Blues will be playing against Partizan Belgrade in the second leg of the UEFA Cup Qualifying Round. The only absentee is Michael Mifsud, who is still unfit after an operation. Luke Dimech returns after a one-match suspension. The Wanderers will be carrying with them a one-goal lead and therefore a draw or a 0-1 defeat would be enough for Sliema to make it to the First Round of the competition. In the first leg, Sliema had defeated Partizan 2-1 with goals by Djebril Sylla and Carmel Busuttil for the Blues and Sasa Ilic for the Zebras of Belgrade.
• Sirens Tournament Qormi vs Lija A. 1-1

Sun 20

• Premier League Xghajra T. vs Valletta 1-6, Sliema W. vs Hibernians 5-0

Sat 19

• Premier League Pietà H. vs Hamrun S. 1-1, Floriana vs Rabat A. 4-2

Fri 18

• Joe Gauci is the new General Secretary of the MFA following an election for the vacancy left by Joe Sacco. Guaci won the election by 28 votes to the 18 obtained by the other contestant Louis Micallef.
• The new season 2000/01 of the Gozo FA will kick off on the 2nd September. The draws of the various competitions resulted as follows:
  First Division Victoria H. vs Xewkija T., St. Lawrence S. vs Kercem A., Ghajnsielem vs Oratory Y., Nadur Y. vs Zebbug R
  Second Division Sannat L. vs Gharb R., Qala SJ vs SK Victoria W., Munxar F. vs Xaghra U.
  Independence Cup Qala SJ vs SK Victoria W., Ghajnsielem vs Zebbug R., Oratory Y. vs Sannat L., Kercem A. vs Xewkija T., Gharb R. vs St. Lawrence S.
  Rothmans GFA Cup Nadur Y. vs St. Lawrence S., Sannat L. vs Xaghra U., SK Victoria W. vs Victoria H., Oratory Y. vs Qala SJ, Xewkija T. vs Gharb R.
• Mosta Tournament Mosta vs St. Patrick 2-1
• Sirens Tournament Mellieha vs Sirens 3-0

Thu 17

• Two Premier clubs are still banned from negotiating any transfer deals due to failure to comply with the regulations regarding the licences for all MFA clubs. These clubs are Floriana and Hamrun Spartans. In the First Division, the only club which is banned is Zurrieq. The others are Siggiewi and Zebbug Rangers in the Second Division and Pembroke Athleta in the Third Division.
• Tumas Fenech Memorial Tournament Birkirkara vs Sliema W. 1-0, Birkirkara vs Qormi 0-0, Sliema W. vs Qormi 1-0
• Mosta Tournament St. Andrews vs Balzan Y. 4-0
• Sirens Tournament Sta. Lucia vs Lija A. 3-2

Wed 16

• Friendly International Moldova vs Malta 1-0

Tue 15

• Under 21 Friendly International Moldova vs Malta 2-1. William Camenzuli put Malta ahead in the 52nd. Three Maltese players were sent off: Kenneth Scicluna, Aaron Xuereb and Massimo Grima.
• A one day triangular football tournament entitled Tumas Fenech Memorial will be held at the Hibs Ground Corradino next Thursday at 8.00p.m. between Sliema Wanderers, Birkirkara FC and Qormi FC. The three teams have the Tumas Group as their main Sponsor. The presentation of trophies will take place around 10.00p.m. Details on this tournament were given at a press conference held at the KIA Showrooms on Tuesday morning in the presence of the three Presidents Victor Zammit, Robert Arrigo, and Silvan Fenech. Mr Anthony De Bono on behalf of the Fenech family thanked the three presidents for this initiative and augured that this activity will establish itself as a regular annual activity. He informed the Press that the Fenech family expressed the view that the revenue collected will be donated for Charity. Mr De Bono thanked the Presidents of the three Supporters Clubs who were responsible for all logistics.

Mon 14

• Mosta Tournament St. Patrick vs Balzan Y. 1-1
• Sirens Tournament Sta. Lucia vs Mellieha 0-0
• Carmel Busuttil could be retiring from the international scene in a few weeks time after making his hundredth appearance in the national team earlier this year. In fact, in an interview with The Times, the 36-year old striker said that although he is looking forward to give his contribution in the World Cup 2002 qualifiers, he is not sure whether he would still be playing by the end of the campaign. Such a decision would be a deep blow for national coach Josif Ilic and the national team since he is still considered as a most influential figure in the team despite his veteran age. He is the player who played most and who scored the large number of goals for the national team with 106 caps and 23 goals since his debut against Iceland in Messina in 1982.

Sun 13

• National coaches Josif Ilic and Ray 'Zazu' Farrugia named the squads which will be travelling on Sunday for the friendly matches against Moldova in Chisnau on the 14th (Under 21) and 15th August (seniors). Josif Ilic is hoping that the euphoria caused by the great performances by Sliema and Valletta in the UEFA Cup transmits itself to the national team who has to recover from a 5-0 defeat against Iceland in July. Three players have been ruled out of this game due to injuries: Sliema's Ernest Barry and Michael Mifsud and Birkirkara's Joe Brincat. Also missing is Birkirkara defender Michael Spiteri. The senior squad is made up of Mario Muscat (Hibs); Saviour Darmanin (Pietà); Jeffrey Chetcuti, Darren Debono, David Carabott, Daniel Theuma, Stefan Giglio, Gilbert Agius (Valletta), Luke Dimech, David Camilleri, Dybril Sylla, Noel Turner, Carmel Busuttil (Sliema); Brian Said, Jonathan Holland, George Mallia (Floriana), Antoine Zahra, Chucks Nwoko (Birkirkara). On the other hand, Farrugia selected the following players for the Under 21 squad: Matthew Camilleri, Justin Haber, Etienne Barbara, Claude Mattocks (Floriana); Mark Anthony Bonnici, Massimo Grima, Joseph Farrugia, Kevin Sammut (Sliema); William Camenzuli, Kenneth Scicluna (Birkirkara); Rennie Forace (Valletta); Carlo Mamo (Tarxien); Adrian Pulis, Aaron Xuereb, Miguel Mifsud (Hibs); Victor Bellia (Naxxar); William Borg (Rabat); Anatole Debono (St. Andrews).

Fri 11

• Hibs Tournament Pietà H. vs St Patrick 4-1, Hibernians vs Floriana 1-1
• Sirens Tournament Qormi vs Sirens 2-1
• Mosta Tournament Mosta vs St. Andrews 1-2

Thu 10

• UEFA Cup - Preliminary Round Sliema W. vs Partizan Belgrade (YUG) 2-1, NK Rijeka (CRO) vs Valletta FC 3-2
• Sirens Tournament Lija A. vs Mellieha 5-0

Wed 9

• Friendly Match Birkirkara vs Manchester United 1-5

Tue 8

• Sirens Tournament Sirens vs Lija A. 0-0

Mon 7

• The draws of the Air Malta Centenary Cup were held today at the MFA Headquarters, resulting as follows: Sliema W. vs Birkirkara, Tarxien R. vs Sirens, Marsa vs Hamrun S., Mosta vs St. Patrick, Lija A. vs Floriana, Gozo vs Siggiewi, Valletta vs Marsaxlokk and Zebbug R. vs Hibernians
• Hibs Tournament Pietà H. vs Hibernians 1-1, Floriana vs St. Patrick 3-1
• Sirens Tournament Mellieha vs Qormi 1-3
• Friendly Match Marsa vs Rabat A. 'B' 7-0
• Valletta left Malta for Croatia where they will be meeting NK Rijeka in the UEFA Cup Preliminary Round first leg match against NK Rijeka. Coach Krassimir Manolov has the full squad at his disposal including the two new foreigners Czech midfielder Kamel Dvorzak and Nigerian striker Chris Oretan who turned out to be the hero for his new team last Saturday scoring three goals in the decisive match for the Lowenbrau Cup. Midfielder Stefan Giglio, who missed last Saturday's match is still nursing an injury but is expected to recover in time for Thursday's match.

Sun 6

• Manchester United arrived in Malta at the Malta International Airport on flight KM393 from Munich on Sunday at 1645CET. The United play against Birkirkara in a friendly match on Wednesday 9th August. After taking part in a tournament in which they defeated Real Madrid 1-0 and lost 1-3 to Bayern Munich, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will be using this game to make the final preparations in view of the curtain-raiser of English football, the Charity Shield final against Chelsea, three days later. On Sunday evening, Sir Alex Ferguson will be attending the Volleyball Marathon, organised by the Kerygma Movement, which is currently being held at the St. Theresa Junior Lyceum, Mriehel. The team will then have two training sessions, one on Monday morning and another on Tuesday morning. The 23 players who will be visiting Malta are: Barthez, Van der Gouw, P. Neville, G. Neville, Stam, Irwin, Berg, Johnsen, Silvestre, May, Brown, Keane, Beckham, Butt, Scholes, Wallwork, Sheringham, Giggs, Solskjaer, Cole, Fortune, Blomqvist and Yorke. The team will be accompanied by about 500 supporters.

Sat 5

• Lowenbrau Cup Sliema W. vs Valletta 1-3. Valletta win the Lowenbrau Cup

Fri 4

• Hibs Tournament Hibernians vs St. Patrick 3-0, Floriana vs Pietà H. 1-0
• Friendly Matches Rabat A. vs Naxxar L. 2-1. Two goals by Craig Schembri for Rabat. Marsa vs Xghajra T. 1-1

Thu 3

• Lowenbrau Cup Birkirkara vs Sliema W. 1-1
• The MFA Protests' Board has not upheld a protest filed by Valletta against the result of last Monday's game against Birkirkara. Valletta had based the protest on the fact that De Vito was registered as an amateur player rather than as a professional. However their protest was not upheld as it was not filed correctly.
• Hibernians FC are once again organising the Carlsberg tournament at the Hibs Ground. Taking part in this year's edition are Hibernians, Floriana, Pietà Hotspurs and First Division side St Patrick. The tournament kicks-off on Friday 4th and resumes on Monday 7th and Friday 11th.

Wed 2

• Manchester United will be visiting with their full squad for the friendly match against Birkirkara which will be held on Wednesday 9th August. A 23-man squad which will be including the Red Devils' latest signing, French star goalie Fabien Barthez, will be arriving in Malta on Sunday at 1650CET and is expected to leave on Thursday at 1930CET. The team will be arriving in Malta, straight from Munich where they will be taking part in a tournament with Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Galatasaray. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will be using this game to make the final preparations in view of the curtain-raiser of English football, the Charity Shield final against Chelsea, three days later. The team will be accompanied by about 500 supporters. Birkirkara chairman Victor Zammit said that tickets are selling fast and only a sold-out stadium would mean that they would not lose any money from this event. He said that the latest signing, Roger Walker will be making his debut for Birkirkara but they will be lacking two players who are currently injured, Michael Galea and Joe Brincat. Saadi Gaddafi, who was due to make a guest appearance for Birkirkara will arrive in Malta on Monday but is not expected to play as he is also injured. Zammit also said that the club tried to lure former world star Diego Maradona but failure to find enough funds made his appearance impossible. Meanwhile, Sir Alex Ferguson has accepted an invitation to attend the Motta Volleyball Marathon, organised by the Kerygma Movement, which is currently being held at the St. Theresa Junior Lyceum, Mriehel.

Tue 1

• Friendly Matches Rabat A. vs Pietà H. 1-1. Goals by Roderick Asciak (R) and Ivan Woods (pen) (P). Hibernians vs Xghajra T. 3-2 Two goals by Peter Ohaka for Xghajra
• Hibernians, Floriana, Pietà Hotspurs and St. Patrick will be taking part in the Hibernians Tournament which will be starting next Friday.