Former Net TV and PN media sport journalist Manuel Gauci has been stripped of an honour bestowed upon him just two weeks ago by the Nationalist Party after serious charges that were brought against him in court last week.

Two weeks ago, Gauci was given an honour by the PN in recognition of his work in sports journalism in a career that spanned more than 35 years, most of which was spent in the PN media.

The lifetime achievement award was presented to Gauci by PN leader Simon Busuttil during a national sport conference organized by the Nationalist Party. Speaking to this newspaper, a spokesman for the Nationalist Party said Gauci has been stripped of this award.

Gauci, who retired from his work with the PN media a few years ago, will also lose his part-time job with the Malta Football Association. He was tasked with writing material related with the national football team.

Contacted by this newspaper, an MFA spokesperson confirmed that the association will be officially removing Gauci at the next Executive Council meeting which will be held on 4 August.

The MFA spokesman also confirmed that the MFA received a letter from Zabbar St Patrick’s club informing the association that Gauci no longer holds the position of club secretary. This means that he will also no longer form part of the MFA council.

Manuel Gauci will also be stripped of a lifetime achievement honour which was handed to him by the Sports Journalists Association a few years ago. An SJA spokesperson said that the official decision will be taken at the next association committee meeting.