MFA President says now it is time to change the way of thinking

In his closing speech at this year’s Annual General meeting, MFA president Norman Darmanin Demajo sounded a strict warning to players, stressing that they must take responsibility of their actions on and off the field.

“Players must entertain us and not spread football cancer” he said, referring of course to match fixing as a chronic tumour that is eroding the game. The president added that match fixing goes against the principles of a footballer and beats all scope of staying involved in the game, amidst applause from the floor.

Darmanin Demajo also revealed that three Maltese national players will be charged by UEFA’s Control and Disciplinary Board on 17 August and entitled to defend their case against alleged involvement in the fixing of the EURO 2008 qualifer between Norway and Malta.

Next week a new case of corruption will also be heared in the local law courts.

As football worldwide, stands at a crossroads, financial fair play and integrity are the fundamentals of the modern game. “We are part of the European football community and there is no excuse for being small” said the president, who based his speech on the concept of Paradigm Shift – or the change from one way of thinking to another.

“It is time everybody involved in football, changes his line of thought”, insisted Darmanin Demajo. The clubs must make more transparent contractual agreements with their players as the present system of players’ registrations leaves much to be desired. The MFA cannot afford losing time to sort out the messes in players’ contarcts done by clubs. He said that some present regulations are ‘illegal’ and there exist loopholes in regulations that work against players and encourages them to break the rules.

The president also sounded a warning to clubs to take full responsibility and stay away from corruption. All clubs must adhere to the Financial Fair Play regulations which come in force. These are better than winning trophies at the expense of financial losses. He also reminded the clubs of their responsibility to maintain the infrastructures which have been passed over to them and appealed for them to give more space to their upcoming young players rather than going for foreigners.

Another much needed radical change mentioned by Darmanin Demajo was the one in club structures. He fears the present ones are not strong or safe enough to deal with new responsibilities and hinted that the conversion into limited liability companies would be the way forward for our clubs.

Darmanin Demajo also showed his regret at the lack of qualified coaches available, especially at Grassroots level. According to him, infrastructure alone is not enough and clubs need to engage qualified coaches ready to learn more in an ongoing process. He referred to the MFA Technical Centre at Ta’Qali as an open place with new methodology and a small science lab where everybody can make use of.

The MFA president critisised the MEPA methodology of looking into infrastructuarl changes, especially after the refusal of necessary permits for the completion of works at the Victor Tedesco Stadium in Hamrun.

He also appealed to the government to change the way at looking towards football in Malta. The president regards football as an economic activity with many people involved, generating money for the good of the country and it must be regarded at such.

Finally he urged all council members present at the Meeting to go for changes and not be afraid of ending up as losers.

“I am not after votes” said Norman Darmanin Demajo, “but proud that I can give a service to clubs and football”.