If a decision by the MFA Board to investigate Corrupt Practices was ratified by the Executive Council of the Association last night, Vittoriosa Stars will find themselves in the First Division this morning.
The Board to investigate Corrupt Practices concluded its investigation and found the Stars guilty, proposing the club’s relegation to the First Division. Late yesterday evening, the MFA Executive Committee was meeting to discuss the Board’s decision. It also had to determine what has to be done following this development.
Until the time of going to press, the EC was still in session and it could not be ascertained whether it had ratified the Board’s decision.
The Board has been investigating the case for several months. Vittoriosa had been charged by the Association with a case of corruption in the December 2008 match against St George’s.
A few days after the case had been announced by the MFA, it was learned that those involved – two players – Andrea Gatt and Lawrence Mizzi – had admitted their wrongdoings in Court, except for the club’s vice-president Manwel Ancilleri, who maintained his stance that he had nothing to do with the case. In fact, his case is still pending in the Law Courts.
The two players had been given suspended sentences and fined after pleading guilty in Court.
In the meantime, the MFA had ordered a replay of the match which Vittoriosa had won 3-2 after cancelling that result. The Stars also won the replay 2-1.
The Stars have already played their first Premier League match. They lost 3-0 against Sliema Wanderers on Vittoriosa Stars are now holding a news conference this morning to announce what their next step will be in the light of yesterday’s developments.
Sources close to the club told The Malta Independent that they are expected to appeal against the decision if the MFA EC ratified it yesterday evening.
Also, club coach Winston Muscat, is reported to have told his players that training will go ahead as scheduled while leaving the club’s administration to take care of the case.