February 2001

Wed 28

• Friendly 'A' International Malta vs Sweden 0-3
• The MFA Disciplinary Commissioner suspended eight Premier League players. Valletta defender Karl Bonnici was suspended for two matches. All the other players, Kris Laferla (Valletta), Ndubisi Chukunyere (Hibs), Richard Buhagiar (Floriana), Massimo Grima (Sliema), Jonathan Magri Overend and Drasko Braunovic (Birkirkara) and Edmond Lufi (Pietà).

Tue 27

• Under 21 Friendly Match Malta vs Sweden 1-3
  Malta lost 1-3 to Sweden in a friendly match which was meant to serve as preparation for the forthcoming European Championship commitments against Denmark and Iceland. After a good start for the local side when the Maltese created more chances going close with efforts by Massimo Grima and William Camenzuli, the Swedish side took the lead in the 32nd thanks to Rade Prica. From then onwards, the visitors dominated. Four minutes from time, Nils-Eric Johansson doubled the score and just before half-time, Christian Wilhelmsson made it 3-0. Seven minutes in the second half, Malta reduced the gap with a goal by Michael Mifsud. In the 66th, Malta could have narrowed the gap further but the goalkeeper saved a penalty by Massimo Grima. Nine minutes from time, Berglund and Kenneth Scicluna were sent off.
• National coach Josif Ilic named the squad for Wedensday's friendly game aainst Sweden. Since there were several players who were injured or still not 100% fit, Ilic had to drop several players from the squad. These include Mario Muscat, Carmel Busuttil, Brian Said, Antoine Zahra, Daniel Theuma and Michael Spiteri. Jeffrey Chetcuti was also left out since he is suspended in the next four competitive matches. The squad is therefore made up of goalkeepers Ernest Barry (Sliema) and Saviour Darmanin (Pietà); defenders David Carabott, Darren Debono (Valletta), Luke Dimech (Sliema), Chris Okoh and Digger Okonkwo (Naxxar); midfielders Joe Brincat (B'Kara), David Camilleri, Noel Turner and Dybrill Sylla (Sliema), Stefan Giglio (CSKA Sofia), Jonathan Holland (Floriana), Nicky Saliba (Valletta) and forwards Gilbert Agius (Valletta), George Mallia (Floriana), Chucks Nwoko (CSKA Sofia) and Hubert Suda (B'Kara).

Sun 25

• CSKA Sofia lost 0-3 to Litex Lovech in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the Bulgarian Cup. Giglio started the game and was substituted in the 58th minute when the result was 2-0. Nwoko entered as a substitute in the 80th minute.
• Premier League Rabat A. vs Pietà H. 4-2, Hamrun S. vs Birkirkara 0-1
• First Division Gozo vs St. Patrick 1-2, Marsa vs Lija A. 2-1, Marsaxlokk vs St. Andrews 2-0
• Second Division Dingli S. vs Melita 1-1, Siggiewi vs Gzira U. 0-4
• Third Division Gudja U. vs Pembroke A. 0-3, Vittoriosa S. vs Sirens 2-1
• Women's League Hibernians vs Mosta 4-0, Birkirkara vs Melita 1-0
• Gozo - Second Division Knock-Out Final Qala SJ vs Xaghra U. 1-3

Sat 24

• Premier League Floriana vs Sliema W. 1-1, Valletta vs Hibernians 1-3
• Second Division Mellieha vs Luqa SA 0-2, Balzan Y. vs Mqabba 2-2
• National coach Josif Ilic named the squad for next Wedensday's friendly game aainst Sweden. Since there are several players who are injured or still not 100% fit, Ilic named 27 players in the squad. These are goalkeepers Ernest Barry (Sliema), Saviour Darmanin (Pietà) and Mario Muscat (Hibs); defenders David Carabott, Jeffrey Chetcuti, Darren Debono and Daniel Theuma (Valletta), Luke Dimech (Sliema), Chris Okoh and Digger Okonkwo (Naxxar), Brian Said (Floriana) and Michael Spiteri (B'Kara); midfielders Joe Brincat, William Camenzuli and Antoine Zahra (B'Kara), Carmel Busuttil, David Camilleri, Noel Turner and Dybrill Sylla (Sliema), Stefan Giglio (CSKA Sofia), Jonathan Holland (Floriana), Rupert Mangion (Hamrun), Nicky Saliba (Valletta) and forwards Gilbert Agius (Valletta), George Mallia (Floriana), Chucks Nwoko (CSKA Sofia) and Hubert Suda (B'Kara). Spiteri, Said, Debono, Brincat, Busuttil and Theuma are still dubious. Ilic said that this game is of utmost importance since Sweden play the same style of football as Denmark and Iceland, the two teams which Malta will be facing at home and away in the next four months.
• Under 21 coach Ray Zazu Farrugia said that he has decided to name the squad only on the eve of Tuesday's game against Sweden since some of the players including Carlo Mamo and Rennie Forace are dubious. However Farrugia announced that Maltese-Australian Matthew Galea, who is playing for Hamrun, will be forming part of the squad.
• In a press-conference MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud presented the new kit sponsors - Errea, represented in Malta by Tuttosport. Mifsud also announced that the Under 16 team will be travelling to Turkey for the Under 16 Mini-Tournament. Following a recommendation of the technical staff, Maltese-Australian goalie Brian Maher will be included in the squad.

Fri 23

• The MFA Disciplinary Commissioner suspended another player - William Camenzuli of Birkirkara. Therefore the Stripes will lack five suspended players against Hamrun: Antoine Zahra, Joe Brincat, Michael Cutajar and Justin Tellus.

Thu 22

• Errea, an Italian sportswear firm, represented in Malta by Tuttosport, are the new kit sponsors of the Malta national teams. The MFA reached an agreement with Errea after that Kronos was no longer in a position to honour a contract with the association. The Maltese national teams will be wearing Errea next week in friendlies against Sweden.

Wed 21

• The MFA Disciplinary Commissioner suspended 14 Premier League players. The players who were hit worse were Antoine Zahra (Birkirkara) and Michael Mifsud (Sliema) who were suspended for two games. The other players who were handed a one-match ban were: Joe Brincat, Michael Cutajar and Justin Tellus (Birkirkara), Miguel Mifsud (Hibs), Darren Debono and David Carabott (Valletta), Eduardo do Nascimento (Floriana), Brian Bonnici and Keith Spiteri (Xghajra), Joseph Farrugia (Rabat), Anthony Galea (Pietà) and Zoran Antic (Sliema).
• The Premier League matches which are scheduled for next Sunday have been transferred from the Victor Tedesco Stadium to the Hibernians Ground. The games in question are Rabat Ajax vs Pietà Hotspurs, Hamrun Spartans vs Birkirkara. The First Division matches Marsa-Lija and M'Xlokk-St. Andrews will be held at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, Hamrun on Sunday.

Mon 19

• Premier League Birkirkara vs Sliema W. 1-2
• Stefan Giglio and Chucks Nwoko confirmed that they will be available for the friendly game against Sweden at Ta' Qali on the 28th February despite the fact that the Bulgarian league resumes three days later. CSKA Sofia have granted them permission to join the national team. Under 21 goalie Justin Haber, who is also on loan with SK Dobrudzha is also expected to join the Under 21 squad for the friendly against Sweden on the 27th.

Sun 18

• Premier League Xghajra T. vs Rabat A. 0-2, Pietà H. vs Naxxar L. 2-1
• First Division St. Andrews vs St. Patrick 0-0, Tarxien R. vs Marsaxlokk 1-2, Mosta vs Qormi 0-2
• Second Division Sta. Lucia vs Siggiewi 3-2, Attard vs Sta. Venera L. 1-1
• Third Division St. George's vs San Gwann 2-0, Mgarr U. vs Gharghur 2-1
• Women's League Raiders vs Birkirkara 1-1, Melita vs Rabat A. 2-0
• Gozo - First Division Xewkija T. vs St. Lawrence S. 4-2, Zebbug R. vs Ghajnsielem 1-1

Sat 17

• Premier League Hibernians vs Hamrun S. 2-0, Valletta vs Floriana 2-1
• First Division Lija A. vs Zurrieq 1-0
• Second Division Dingli S. vs Zebbug R. 0-1, Melita vs Gzira U. 0-2
• Gozo - First Division Oratory Y. vs Nadur Y. 0-3, Victoria H. vs Kercem A. 3-1

Thu 15

• Malta maintained the 119th place out of a total of 203 countries in the FIFA World Rankings as published on Wednesday. Over the past month, the national team was not involved in any friendly matches. In front of Malta are Libya which is 115th, Azerbaijan, Mauritius and the Faroe Islands. Behind Malta, in the 120th place is Kazakhstan. The only European countries which lie behind Malta include Luxembourg, Andorra, San Marino and Liechtenstein.

Wed 14

• The Malta national team is set to have new kit sponsors as Kronos, the Italian sportswear company, could no longer honour the contract signed last year. It seems that the company had to review all sponsorship deals with clubs and associations after that they had registered considerable losses. Rumours have it that the new sponsor could be an other Italian firm, Errea, who already sponsor several other local clubs, including seven Premier league sides, through Errea's representative in Malta - TuttoSport of Valletta.
• Five Premier League players were suspended for one game each by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner. The players are: Roger Walker (Hibernians), Kamil Dvorak (Valletta), Claude Mattocks and Riad Mynel Gango-Rtsa (Floriana) and Kevin Sammut I (Hamrun). Floriana's Mattocks and Gango-Rtsa will miss the derby against Valletta who will therefore have Dvorak suspended as well. Walker and Sammut will miss the game between Hibernians and Hamrun.
• Hibs defender Kevin Cassar is expected to miss the rest of the season after suffering a cruciate injury in the game against Sliema on Saturday. Meanwhile Birkirkara striker Nenad Veselji underwent a surgery in Germany. He is expected to return next season.

Tue 13

• The MFA announced new fixtures for the Premier League and Division 1. The game from the Relegation Pool, Pietà H. vs Naxxar L., which was due to be held last Saturday but which was postponed to Tuesday will now be held on Sunday 18th. Hibernians vs Hamrun S. was anticipated to Saturday 17th while Birkirkara vs Sliema W. was postponed to Monday 19th. The fixtures are therefore Sat 17: Hibs-Hamrun, Valletta-Floriana; Sun 18: Xghajra-Rabat, Pietà-Naxxar and Mon 19; Sliema-B'Kara. On the other hand, the First Division matches which were postponed last Sunay will be held as follows: Sat 17 Lija A. vs Zurrieq, Sun 18 St. Andrews vs St. Patrick. Both games will be played at the Centenary Stadium at 1800.

Mon 12

• Police are investigating a case where a spectator who was watching the game from the HSBC Youth League Section D between San Gwann and St. George's at the Mosta Ground had a gun in his car. The game ended in a free-for-all fight where the police had to intervene. Reinforces were called from the Mosta Police Station especially after the identification of a gun in a car of one of the spectators. A 38-year old man from San Gwann was arrested by the police in connection with the possession of a gun.

Sun 11

• Premier League Hamrun S. vs Valletta 0-1, Sliema W. vs Hibernians 4-2
• First Division St. Andrews vs St. Patrick postponed, Lija A. vs Zurrieq postponed
• Second Division Mqabba vs Attard 2-0, Luqa SA vs Balzan Y. 2-1
• Third Division Ta' Xbiex vs Ghaxaq 4-1, Birzebbuga SP vs Msida SJ 1-5
• Women's League Melita vs Raiders 1-0, Rabat A. vs Mosta 0-6
• Gozo - First Division Oratory Y. vs Ghajnsielem 5-2, Zebbug R. vs Nadur Y. 2-2

Sat 10

• Premier League Pietà H. vs Naxxar L. postponed, Floriana vs Birkirkara 0-2
• Second Division Sta. Venera L. vs Dingli S. 4-1, Siggiewi vs Mellieha 0-2
• Third Division Sirens vs Mgarr U. 5-0, Pembroke A. vs St. George's 2-1
• Gozo - First Division Xewkija T. vs Victoria H. 2-3

Thu 8

• Malta Under 21 goalie Justin Haber signed for Bulgarian First Division side SK Dobruzha. The Floriana goalkeeper will stay on loan at the end of the season and then the two clubs could discuss a definite transfer if the Bulgarian club decides to retain Haber. The Greens have not asked for any payment for this five-month loan.
• Naxxar Lions midfielder Trevor Templeman, 19 years, was voted as the Rothmans Player of the Month for January 2001. Templeman, who is on loan with Naxxar, made his Premier League debut in the season 1998/99 for Sliema Wanderers. Among the honours won are those of the championship of the U-14, U-16 and U-21 competitions. He considers the highest point in career, the Under 16 final between Sliema and Floriana which was won by Sliema on penalties. His ambition is to play for the Under-21 National squad. Among other interests and pastimes are music, fishing and studying.
• National coach Josif Ilic called Birkirkara striker Hubert Suda. He is expected to form part of the national squad when Malta plays Sweden in a friendly match at Ta' Qali on the 24th February.
• A protest by Gozo FC regarding the transfer of goalkeeper David Cluett earlier this season was upheld by the MFA. Gozo had protested that the goalkeeper could not join Birkirkara. Since then the veteran goalkeeper was given a free-release by Birkirkara and has joined Floriana. Following this decision, Cluett is to become Gozo FC property as from the 1st July 2001.

Wed 7

• Seven Premier League players were suspended for one game by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner. These are Rodney Camilleri (Rabat), George Mallia and Rufin Oba (Floriana), Malcolm Licari (Pietà), Justin Tellus (Birkirkara), Rupert Mangion and Matthew Galea (Hamrun). Mallia, Oba and Tellus will miss the Championship Pool game between Floriana and Birkirkara. Mangion and Galea miss the game against leaders Valletta. Camilleri and Licari will miss a game from the Relegation Pool against Xghajra and Naxxar respectively.

Tue 6

• Floriana FC wrote a letter to the Malta Football Association to complain about referee Lorry Sammut's control in the game between Floriana and Valletta on Saturday. The Greens claim that although a referee may commit mistakes, it is not fair for a club to pay the consequences. The Greens are asking the MFA to let them express their views in front the Board of Discipline regarding the sending-off of two of their players, Rufin Oba and George Mallia and that if it is found out that a wrong decision was taken, the players are not supended.
• Floriana goalie Justin Haber is set to join a Bulgarian club on loan till the end of the season if the club reaches an agreement with Floriana over his transfer. Former Floriana coach, Traiko Sokolov, who is acting as a manager has not disclosed the name of the club. Haber first went on a trial with First Division SK Dobruzha. Then he had a trial with Premier Division side Chernomore Varna. Other clubs including Premier sides Chernomore Burgas and Spartak Varna have also expressed their interest in the Maltese Under 21 international goalie.

Mon 5

• The MFA shifted the fixtures of the first fixtures of the Championship and Relegation Pool. Hamrun S. vs Valletta and Sliema W. vs Hibernians which were due to be held on Saturday will be held on Sunday while the two games that were scheduled for Sunday, Pietà H. vs Naxxar L. and Floriana vs Birkirkara, will now be held on Saturday 10th. These will be held at the Hibernians Ground. Sunday's First Division matches are shifted from the Hibernians Ground to the Victor Tedesco Stadium.
• Stefan Giglio and Chucks Nwoko were included as substitutes in a friendly game between CSKA Sofia and Slunchev Bryag. CSKA won 5-0. Giglio was included in the beginning of the second half while Nwoko entered in the 60th minute.

Sun 4

• Premier League Xghajra T. vs Hibernians 0-4, Pietà H. vs Rabat A. 3-1
• Rothmans Trophy Zurrieq vs St. Patrick 2-3
• First Division Marsaxlokk vs Mosta 1-3, Marsa vs Gozo 4-2
• Second Division Zebbug R. vs Melita 1-3, Gzira U. vs Sta. Lucia 1-0
• Third Division Senglea A. vs Fgura U. 5-1, Kirkop U. vs Zejtun C. 1-0
• Women's League Raiders vs Rabat A. 5-0, Hibernians vs Birkirkara 3-0
• Gozo - First Division Kercem A. vs St. Lawrence S. 4-1

Sat 3

• In a press conference, Hamrun Spartans captain Paul Zammit claimed that the club owed the players salaries amounting to around Lm46,000. This problem has been haunting the club for the past a number of years. During the season 1997/98, players were not paid for nine months, then after that the club was relegated to the First Division, during the season 2000/2001 not all the payments were effected despite the fact that the club was heading towards the Premier League. At the end of last season, the player were still to be paid the salaries for five-months. The players received only part of the money the club owed them just before this season's first league match. last November they received a second payment. This season the club had only given bonuses for some first round matches amounting to Lm230. The club promised that some payments would be made in January. But the club failed to keep its promises and the players decided to go on strike. The players have now put forward a proposal for the committee to pay them 45% of the global sum, that is Lm20,000. Following a meeting between the club and the committee, the club had promised to pay Lm12,000 till Friday, another Lm4,000 by Wednesday and the rest of the sum by the 16th February. However once again the club failed to keep its promises.
• Premier League B'Kara vs Hamrun S. 1-1, Floriana vs Valletta 1-3
• Second Division Balzan Y. vs Siggiewi 2-2, Attard vs Luqa SA 2-3
• Gozo - Second Division Xaghra U. vs Sannat L. 0-2, Gharb R. vs Qala SJ 1-1

Fri 2

• It seems that following a meeting between the Hamrun Spartans committee and the players, the players agreed to end their 'strike' during which they had refused to report for training after that the club had failed to fulfil its promise to pay them their salaries. As a result of the meeting, the committee will be paying immediately part of the coach and players' salaries.
• Rothmans, the main football sponsor in Malta could no longer sponsor football competitions as from January 2003 as the government will be introducing a law which bans advertising and sponsorship by tobacco companies. This means that the Malta Football Association will have to find new sponsors for the Premier, First, Second and Third Division Leagues, the Super Cup and the Trophy. During a meeting of the Council of the MFA, it was announced that the association was negotiating new agreements with the other sponsors, including Maltacom, Lowenbrau, Super Five, Melita Cable and Go Mobile.
• Fr Hilary Tagliaferro resigned from his post of member of the Executive Committee of the Malta Football Association due to other commitments at the Millennium Chapel. He also resigned from his post as chairman of the Kunsill ta' l-Isport. However he will retain the chairmanship of the Youth Football Association.
• Four players were tested for doping in the game between Hibs and Floriana last Saturday as the MFA is once again carrying such tests on players at random. The tests are being analysed in a laboratory in the Czech Republic.
• The MFA received 75,000 Swiss Franks (about Lm20,000) for organising the UEFA Regions Cup mini-tournament in November.

Thu 1

• Rumours have it that Hamrun Spartans players are currently 'on strike'. It seems that players have not been paid their salaries for quite some time and for this reason, they have decided not to attend training sessions. In fact, some of the players are traning on their own at Ta' Qali. The players could even decide not to play next Sunday's game against Birkirkara.
• It seems that Floriana coach Karim Bencheriffa is not pleased with the way the technical board of Floriana FC is interfering with his job. Last Sunday, Bencheriffa abandoned the National Stadium immediately after the end of the game against Hibernians in which Floriana dropped their first points in the Premier League after seven consecutive wins.
• Sliema Wanderers striker Michael Mifsud extended his contract with the Blues for another three years up to June 2004.