The most-awaited match of the weekend was undoubtedly the encounter between Gudja and Mellieha, who are battling each other for second place which would guarantee them a promotion to Division I. And the highlight of the week did not disappoint, being the first match of the season to be abandoned after the end of the first half, at which time the score was still 0-0.

A few instances before the end of the first half, the Brazilian Mellieha player at the centre of the incident Tiago Loquete had ben cautioned by the referee for a foul. Once the referee whistled the end of the first half, Loqute approached the referee on the way to the dressing room, and complained further about his booking. The referee was seen taking out the yellow card again, at which point Tiago hit the referee on the side of his face, sending him to the ground. Farrugia Cann got up immediately and abandoned the match without hesitation.

Around thirty minutes after the incident, Loquete was seen coming out of the dressing room accompanied by four Police officers, and led into a Police car.

Later yesterday, the President and Committee of Mellieha Sports Club said in a statement that they deplore in the most categorical manner the player’s behaviour.

The statement added that this behaviour is under no circumstances acceptable and that Loquete would be suspended with immediate effect. Through the same statement the Mellieha SC committee wanted to express their solidarity with referee Farrugia Cann.