The MFA Council yesterday decided to turn down a proposal by the Executive Committee for the Bank of Valletta Premier League to resume this weekend. Instead, the Council voted for the competition to resume the following weekend, that is, on 25 September, from the third round of matches.

The Council continued with its meeting, adjourned earlier this month, during which it had decided to suspend the Premier League until a decision on the alleged case of corruption involving Marsaxlokk FC was taken.

Now that Marsaxlokk have also been relegated, the Council also confirmed the decision to retain 10 teams in the Premier League and another 10 in the First Division.

Another important decision taken yesterday was that Vittoriosa and Marsaxlokk will be replaced by Msida SJ and Hamrun S. respectively in this season's Premier League.

The two clubs have already accepted to play in the Premier League.

The Council also accepted a recommendation by the Executive Committee that all the matches played so far, with the exception of those involving Vittoriosa and Marsaxlokk, are to remain valid.

The MFA president, Dr Joe Mifsud, also informed the Council that they had received two letters from Pieta H. and Rabat Ajax.

Pieta said they felt an injustice had been made in their regard as Vittoriosa had won promotion to the Premier League when they were being investigated. They appealed to the MFA to give what they consider rightfully due to them, that is, a place in the Premier Division.

On their part, Rabat Ajax told the Council they also felt an injustice had been made with them in the sense that Vittoriosa had not been punished for something they committed while in the First Division. The Ajax said they felt the Stars have maintained their First Division status, while Rabat have been penalised.

Earlier, the MFA president read out the verdicts of the Board of Appeal in the case of Vittoriosa Stars and the Board to Investigate Corrupt Practices verdict in the Marsaxlokk FC case.

In the Vittoriosa case, the Board of Appeal had established, among others, that the MFA had its rules and these had to be obeyed. It made it clear that it was not its duty to change the rules of the association.

In the Marsaxlokk case, in its conclusion, the Board to Investigate Corrupt Practices made it clear to one and all that there would be no mercy for anyone - players, officials and clubs. It went on to suggest to the MFA to hold a meeting for players and officials before the competition resumes so that it is made clear to everyone what is in store for those found guilty of corruption. It also urged everyone in the game of football to have a fresh and clean start after the storm of the past months.

Before the end of yesterday's meeting, the MFA president was also authorised by the clubs to take control of registrations made by clubs of out-of-contract players, so that a decision on these is taken before the Executive Committee meeting which is scheduled for 28 September.

Meanwhile the First Division KO will start as planned this weekend with the matches scheduled for Sunday 20 September.

The matches scheduled for 19 September have now been re-scheduled for 24 October.