Two Maltese players have been banned for life and four others received long suspensions by UEFA following an investigation in match-fixing allegations concerning Under 21 international matches played in 2016.
UEFA's Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body today announced the final decision in connection with two UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2017 matches: Malta v Montenegro on 23 March 2016 played at the Hibernians Stadium, and against the Czech Republic three days later at the National Stadium.
On 14 and 15 December 2017, the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body initiated hearings to examine the cases.
Today, the decisions were announced:
Emanuel Briffa and Kyle Cesare received a lifelong ban from all football related activity for having acted in a manner that is likely to exert an unlawful or undue influence on the course and/or result of a match or competition with a view to gaining an advantage for himself or a third party.
Samir Arab received a two-year ban (until 31.12.2019) for not immediately and voluntarily informing UEFA of being approached in connection with activities aimed at influencing in an unlawful or undue manner the course and/or result of a match or competition.
Ryan Camenzuli was banned for 18 months until 30 June 2019 for the same reason, while Llywelyn Cremona and Luke Montebello were banned until the end of this year, also for not immediately and voluntarily informing UEFA that they had been approached for match-fixing purposes.
The case against Matthew Cremona was dropped.
UEFA re-iterated its commitment to eliminating match fixing from football.
UEFA's Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body consist of a chairman and nine members.
The Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body has jurisdiction to rule on disciplinary issues and all other matters which fall within its jurisdiction pursuant to the UEFA Statutes or regulations adopted by the UEFA Executive Committee.
'Sad Day for Maltese football'
Speaking at the Malta Football Association's press conference summoned this afternoon, Malta FA General Secretary Dr. Angelo Chetcuti reiterated that this was a sad day for Maltese football.
He emphasised the fact that UEFA's final decisions were based in relation to potential match-fixing reasons in connection with the two UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2017 matches, namely Malta v Montenegro on 23 March 2016 played at the Hibernians Stadium and against the Czech Republic three days later at the National Stadium.
"I must admit it is a disappointment for Maltese football in general. We were also a bit surprised at the final outcome of the judgement but UEFA's decision remains what it is at this point in time. The Malta Football Association also asked UEFA to be present during the actual hearing way back in November, but this request was immediately turned down by Europe's governing football body."
"We have got to get back on our feet and show our true integrity. We cannot give in." stated Dr. Chetcuti, who also mentioned the fact that withstanding all this, this same team went on to bag the highest number of points ever by a Malta national team at this level during that same competition.