While addressing members of the Council of the Malta Football Association, President Norman Darmanin Demajo said that the decision to terminate the contract of John Buttigieg and Carmel Busuttil was reached unanimously.

Speaking on the overall performance and results, Darmanin Demajo said that although Malta managed to acquire a point in the EURO 2012 qualifying campaign, this was something which was not even discussed. He said that it is unfair to judge the coach on displays alone but even smaller countries managed to acquire points.

He said that when Malta managed to get results against such teams in the past, these were without players playing abroad but now this was not the case. Darmanin Demajo said that there was no consistency in the national team as our league was not up to desired levels and we have to have more players playing abroad.

The MFA President also spoke about the contract which was handed to both coaches adding that several had criticised the fact that the term was for five years. He said the contract should be given year on year and tied to competitions adding that if the whole contract was left to run, this would have meant that the next competition would have almost come to an end by the time the contract finished. Darmanin Demajo said that the contract given was a mistake in the first place.

The MFA president said that there were also other factors and considerations which came out especially with regard to call ups adding that although the administration did not go into the technical issues per se, however, some of the issues went beyond technical considerations.

He insisted that this was the best decision taken in the interests of everyone when all was taken into consideration – it was a difficult decision taken with courage. He added that there was a vacancy which needed to be filled and the priority was that the right person was selected for the job.

Darmanin Demajo said that younger players with talent were to be sent abroad to train with the MFA providing professional coaches. He said that the target was to have 10 players playing abroad in three years time with the number eventually increasing to 25.