Elsewhere on this page we are carrying a statement issued yesterday by the Sportswriters Association in which the Ghaqda Kittieba Sport deplored the comments made by the president of the MFA, Dr Joe Mifsud, during a TV sports programme on Thursday evening.

The adjectives used by Dr Mifsud during that programme when referring to a section of the local press are not at all compatible with the post he occupies both in Malta, as president of the most important association, as well as in Europe, where he is an Executive Committee member of UEFA. In fact, I considered it as a scathing attack on local sports journalism.

Words as ‘stupid’, ‘venomous’ and ‘biting serpents’ (stupidi, jitfghu il-velenu and sriep li jigdmu) have never been heard of in the sporting language and should never be used by anyone, whoever it may be.

I join the Sportswriters Association in deploring the MFA president’s attitude against some local members of the press. I attribute Dr Mifsud’s harsh words as a reply to comments this ‘section of the press’ had made in expressing its or their own sentiments on local football.

I did not watch the TV programme on Thursday and neither did I hear the comments made by this ‘section of the press’.

First and foremost, Dr Mifsud should have never made such comments in public. In all my 38 years of sports journalism, I have never heard anything of the like whether in Malta or abroad, even when there were some really hot issues being disputed. I also think that Dr Mifsud also failed when he did not specify to whom he was referring when saying ‘a section of the press’.

For example, I would like to know whether it was The Malta Independent, or yours truly, who might have irritated Dr Mifsud, or the MFA, on this particular occasion. I think it would have been fair enough to have singled out the ‘culprits’ who would then have been able to answer Dr Mifsud’s comments.

As a lawyer by profession, Dr Mifsud should be well aware that there is the Press Law which has to be observed. He also knows that if anyone breaches the said law will have to face the consequences. In my opinion, he should also have made use of that Law to win support from the TV programme followers who were watching it on Smash TV and others who might have come to know about what happened later on.

In its statement, the association also referred to such comments as having been made just a few weeks after Dr Mifsud himself had emphasised the role of the press in helping to make local football more interesting.

In actual fact, I might add that there have also been several meetings with the press which have served to enhance the relationship which, until such comments came to light, seemed to have been excellent.

Everyone must be aware of the importance and priority local football is given by all local media. It is given first preference above all other sport, undoubtedly by all the media.

I believe that every football loving journalist is making a genuine effort to try and give a good picture of the present state of local football, perhaps on some occasions, even better than it actually is. Unfortunately, such unexpected harsh words, or adjectives, as those used by Dr Mifsud, do not help to improve the sportswriters’ present relationship with the MFA.

KMS-MOC dispute: no move and time is pressing

No move has been reported one way or another in the current sports dispute involving the Maltese Council for Sport and the Malta Olympic Committee.

As it is, there is a complete Status Quo and although the athletes are continuing with their preparations for the Andorra Small Nations Games, participation is still very much doubtful.

In fact, the MOC has made it clear that it will not be taking part in the Games unless the Sports Law is revised clearly and in such a way as to give it full autonomy, as the Olympic Charter requires of its affiliated members.

It is a pity that such a dispute has not been resolved quickly. Already almost one month has passed since the impasse was registered and there is still this uncertainty over Malta’s participation at the Andorra Games.

It is hugely unfair on the athletes who do not yet know what is going to happen. Not only does this problem create uncertainty over their participation and therefore also affects their preparations, but they also have their examinations, work and leave to think of well in advance.

Two weeks ago, I wrote that there should be no delay in seeing both sides once again around the discussing table. Now I plead with someone, at least in the name of the athletes, to mediate in the issue so that a long-term solution could be found to this problem.

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