The Premier Division Standing Committee – which is composed of a board of Premier League club presidents – yesterday denied that any of its members were being financed through illegal gaming.
The committee referred to a newsletter issued by the MFA’s Integrity Officer, Franz Tabone, in which he alleged that some Premier League clubs were being financed by illegal games. The PDSC said it deplored the way in which clubs and club officials were being accused of serious wrongdoing in a generic way and that the allegations were baseless. It said all clubs were being accused.
The committee said Mr Tabone should take the necessary steps as per football regulations and to report any information he has to the police or else retract the accusations.
It said that the MFA’s Integrity Officer did something similar last week when he made allegations against a former president without naming him, putting everyone under a bad light.
Otherwise, it will formally ask the clubs it represents to take all necessary steps to defend their names and their honour through any permissible legal avenue.
The committee said it was also presenting signed affidavits by top club officials declaring that the clubs are not being financed by illegal gaming and that their financial books will be open to scrutiny.
It said other declarations and affidavits deploring corruption in football – including match fixing and illegal game betting – will also be issued. The Premier League clubs declare their full support in the fight against corruption and will soon announce their efforts and initiatives in this regard.