The turbulent start to the local football season seems to have no end. With the Vittoriosa Stars case now destined for the Appeals Board and with the Marsaxlokk case following suit, it has emerged that the MFA Board to Investigate Corrupt Practices has also been advised to avoid further delays in handling the other cases still pending.

These include two cases which involve Sta Lucia FC players who are alleging that they were approached to be bribed in matches last season against Gzira United and Zurrieq FC last season.

It is to be noted that Gzira and Zurrieq won promotion from last season’s Third Division to the Second Division and this could mean that if they are demoted once again, provided they are found guilty by the board, then the draws for the two divisions would also have to be revised.

The first incident had happened in December of last year when two Sta Lucia players, Fulvio Azzopardi and Anthony Brignoli, were approached by a Gzira player to be bribed for the league match between the two clubs.

One of the Sta Lucia players had not accepted the offer while the other simply said ‘I am not interested’. The Gzira player had admitted his wrongdoing in Court adding that he had been pushed by others to do what he had done. He was eventually given a suspended sentence by the Court and temporarily suspended from all football activities by the MFA.

The other case relates to the play-offs final between Sta Lucia and Zurrieq.

It is alleged that a Sta Lucia player was approached by a Zurrieq FC player on the pitch who offered a sum of e1,000 to throw away the match. This happened more or less on the 90th minute. The player immediately told the club’s committee members about the affair. The score was 1-1. When extra time started, it is said that Sta Lucia’s secretary informed the MFA match inspector of this offer to their player and they agreed to inform the referee of the match as soon as the game was over. Zurrieq went on to win the encounter after a penalty shootout.

After the match, Sta Lucia not only informed the referee of the incident, but also the MFA and Police Inspector A. Gafa.

Since then, the Zurrieq player is still undergoing Court proceedings while the MFA’s board is still investigating the case. It seems as if no decision is yet in sight with just a few weeks remaining before the start of the league competitions next month.

The Second Division has just one section, like the Premier and First Division leagues, but the Third Division has two sections.

It is possible that the MFA will now discuss this situation during the continuation of the Council meeting on 17 September.