The UEFA Executive Committee, headed by the president, Mr Lennart Johansson of Sweden, and including MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud (who is also a UEFA Executive Committee member), as well as the three vice presidents and general secretary of the association, yesterday paid a cordial visit on the Prime Minister, Dr Lawrence Gonzi, at Castile.

During the visit, UEFA president Johansson presented a UEFA commemorative pennant and gift to the Maltese Prime Minister.

Dr Gonzi stated that it was with great pleasure that Malta welcomed the UEFA Executive Committee meeting. He said he was well aware that Mr Johansson was elected UEFA President way back in 1990 when the UEFA Congress was staged in Malta at the old Malta Hilton.

“A lot has changed since then on our island. Malta now forms part of the European Union, and through the sterling work carried out by big entities such as UEFA, the game of football in our country remains the number one sport on the island. I do augur that as you commenced your new post as President of UEFA in 1990 in the right direction, I do wish you to continue your work here in Malta in the same right direction,” concluded Dr. Gonzi

The UEFA President thanked the Malta Football Association for giving the European Body’s Executive Committee the chance to meet in Malta. “I also would like to thank Dr. Joseph Mifsud for his sterling work and for the excellent organisation by the Malta Football Association” said Johansson.

Also, Johansson commented favourably on learning that the Prime Minister himself practised the game of football as a player in his youth.