The news that Malta has dropped in the world country ranking from 164 to 173 has not been given much prominence in the media in Malta.

Of course this is hardly something to be proud of: however, it is time for everyone in Malta to start taking stock of the fact that Maltese football is in a vicious spiral downwards, and I am afraid that the increase of premier (sic) division clubs from 10 to 12 will have an even more negative impact on the game.

It is worthwhile looking at some figures.

To be able to take part in the premier league - and I use take part not compete since what I quote is purely to take part not to win anything - this is the minimum requirement.

In the Premier league a football club will require a squad of at least 20 players injuries, suspensions etc. This means that there will be around 250 players taking part in the Maltese premier league.

Where are these players coming from? Perhaps one can say that one will bring over foreign players. But that brings one to the second problem and that is money.

Keeping 20 players on your payroll does not come cheap. If one has a minimum of four foreign players, the costs will be in the region of €2,300 each player per month given that these players require a minimum of €1,500 salary and costs associated with accommodation meals etc.

One then has to pay 16 Maltese players, who at an average of €1,000 each, means that in total one is spending close on to €25,000 a month based on an 11 month year. That is €275,000 a year in players’ salaries alone!

There are many other expenses like coach, assistant coach, masseur and ever increasing administration expenses.

So if these latter expenses add up to another €50,000 a year, one is looking at a budget of about €330,000 to run a premier club.

Can anyone associated with football tell me where the 12 clubs are going to each find a minimum of €330,000 to run the club when some clubs are even finding it difficult to find a shirt sponsor! So how can you bring in foreign players? What are you going to pay them with?

I am not going into the administrative side of the club which is practically all voluntary (and some are expected to dig into their pockets to finance the club) even here the requirements to keep in line with licence requirements are such that one needs high calibre people to do the necessary form filling and the reality is that most clubs struggle with this requirement too.

Which now brings me to the recent mutterings that clubs must become more professional. The reality is that we are distancing ourselves further from this objective rather than getting closer.

So what can be done? Like every other business sector in the real world where there is over supply, and not enough revenue, there needs to be consolidation of clubs. The premier league has to be reduced to eight teams with all the benefits that one gets from this consolidation.

Now the only reason which I heard why this has not been done and we have seen the reverse is the so so clubs are concerned that they might be relegated.

Having 12 teams puts the pressure on the smaller clubs that make it to the premier and less chance of being relegated. That reasoning has short term value, however in reality Maltese football will continue its spiral downwards.

Maltese teams’ last foray in Europe was another seriously cold shower for local fans! Maltese teams were drawn against a Lithuanian team, a country where football comes a distant second as a national sport, an Albanian team – need one comment here? – and a Cypriot team where the level was so superior to the Maltese team that it was embarrassing to watch.

The new MFA president came with very high hopes of improving the game. Unfortunately this first year was not very promising. He needs to be brave and state the reality as it is even though this might make him unpopular in the short term.

Otherwise football will continue to spiral downwards and we shall continue to be embarrassed in front of the world.