The Malta Football Association is at present discussing changes to the format of its four divisions. Right now, we have a Premier League, and a first, second and third divisions, with the latter divided in two sections. The idea on the MFA table is to increase the number of teams in each division, with, for example, the Premier League going up to 12 teams instead of 10. As is being proposed, the number of teams in each division will increase so that the third division would then be made up of one section.
Reports in the media have stated that the changes will be made as from next season, which means that the number of teams to be promoted or relegated from each division at the end of this season will not be the same number as when the competition started.
This is a cardinal sin in football terms. No competition has its rules changed in the middle of the season. If a league starts with the notion that two teams will be relegated, we cannot move the goalposts in the middle of the competition and say that three will be relegated. The same goes for the number of teams to be promoted.
Each time formats have changed – and this in both domestic leagues as well as in international competitions – the rules are established well in advance and are never implemented during that same season. There is always a gap of one or two seasons in between the decision to change, and the implementation of that change.
The MFA might be doing this to speed up the reform and have it in place as soon as possible, but this is not the correct way of doing things.
Secondly, if the aim of the changes is to increase quality, by having 12 teams instead of 10 in the Premier League, it is probable that this target will not be reached. The gap that exists between the top and bottom teams will continue to widen, and this situation will not serve to attract more people at the stadium.
It would be better if the MFA had to consider eliminating the system that sees the halving of the points after the first two rounds. This is an injustice against the team that accumulates the most points at the end of the first phase before the division of the teams in the championship and relegation pools.
Having a situation where, in the current format, the bottom two teams of the championship pool have no chances of winning the title or aiming for a place in European competitions, but no fear of relegation, is also not helping to increase interest. The same happens most times in the relegation pool where, although four teams fight for two places, it is often the case that two already have a sizeable advantage over the other two and matters are a foregone conclusion before the relegation pool games start.