Last weekend I decided to go and watch the Malta premier league decider match between Birkirkara and Hibernians. Here is a breakdown of the type of service everyone received from the MFA, the entity that is always urging people to attend and support local football. I got to the ground and found about 40% of the total number of ticket booths open, not even one sign showing you where each of the teams’ supporters should be seated, resulting in loads of opposing supporters mingling amongst each other. I spent an hour to get my ticket as there were not even barriers to guide people in line leading to everyone pushing and fighting to try to get to the ‘ticket booths’, please note there were also women, children and disabled people amongst this confusion.

Once finally in the ground, I spent almost 45 minutes in the shamefully disorganised bar to get a drink, served by unbelievably rude bar staff. I still cannot understand why we still need to have those little metal windows that look like something from Alcatraz, I mean for God’s sake, we are in 2013. I tried to ask one of the barmen why all the windows in the bar were not being used and his answer was, if you don’t like it, just leave. Thanks bozo.

I had more policemen at my wedding and to make matters worse when supporters were exiting after the game, there was a very ‘balanced fight’, 15 guys against one....where were the police? Mixing supporters was never a good idea but if you are going to be dumb enough to do so, make it safe. Shame on everyone at MFA from the president down, no wonder people don’t go to stadium. On Saturday I simply felt like I was in the middle of a jungle, not a stadium in what is supposed to be a civilized country.

Biorn Vassallo and Norman Darmanin Demajo, it seems like you have a lot of work to do and I truly believe that Maltese football deserves more than this. Such a shame.

Simon Copperstone

St Paul's Bay