Improvements at local venues hosting Bank of Valletta Premier League matches the coming season are on schedule with the Victor Tedesco Stadium at Hamrun and the Hibernians Stadium at Corradino being refurbished accordingly. The two facilities are being upgraded with the Hamrun facility now in a very advanced stage.
In fact, it is expected to host its first Premier League matches of the season near the end of next month. The refurbishment will include the new synthetic surface as well as the new floodlighting system, which had already been in use near the end of last season. Improvements at the Hibernians Stadium will include new dressing rooms, a new press area, as well as improve- ments in the canopy. The Stadium’s capacity is also being increased. Works are expected to be completed by November.
Addressing the press yesterday, Bjorn Vassallo, MFA Chief Executive Officer, said the association was committed to provide better facilities in its efforts to register improvement in local standards. Apart from these two venues, work was also at hand to modernize the Gozo Stadium as well as constructing a new stadium at Kercem in the sister island. Vassallo said the MFA was also com- mitted to keep helping the clubs.
“As we did in the past three years, we will continue supporting them by providing officials, balls, and the venues all hopefully for a better income,” he stated. Asked why the programme of six matches over three days has been changed to just two days – four matches on Saturday and two on Sunday or two on Saturday and four on Sunday – Vassallo replied that it was the clubs who opted to take this decision, adding that they thought Friday evening was not attractive due to the fact that it is also a normal working day.
Vassallo insisted, however, that this would not affect attendances. “Most matches last year did not attract a lot of people and it will be the same this year. It is the top clashes that attract the majority of fans. And in this respect, we will be leaving the match of the week when only two games are on the card,” he said.
Vassallo confirmed that six officials (not the usual four) will control 64 of the Premier League matches this season as well as the quarterfinals, semifinals and final of the U*Bet FA Trophy. The MFA CEO also confirmed that five foreigners will be allowed to play this season and there could be another one on the substitutes’ bench. But the latter will only be allowed to replace one of the other five foreigners.
Each team must submit a list of 12 home grown players in their squad on the day of the match. Vassallo also revealed that this year’s competition could be the last in its present format – that is a first and second phase which would see the teams divided into Championship and Relegation Pools. He said discussions will start as soon as possible towards finding the right blend to introduce a more competitive format which would make our league more attractive such as to induce more people to attend local league matches.
He said the season starts next Wednesday 7 August with the Super Cup match between the champions, Birkirkara, and the FA Trophy winners, Hibernians. It is to be remembered that the two teams last met in the Championship de- cider last May – a match won by Birkirkara 3-1. Then comes the friendly international in Baku against Azerbaijan on 14 August. The Premier League starts on Sat- urday 17 August at the National Stadium with Birkirkara opening their defence of the title against Rabat Ajax. Balzan-Vittoriosa S will follow. On Sunday 18 August, at the Centenary Stadium, there will be the Naxxar L-Floriana and Sliema W.-Qormi clashes, while at the National Stadium, the programme will feature the Valletta-Mosta and Tarxien R.-Hibernians derby match.
The competitions this season will have an early ending with the U*BET FA Tro- phy final being scheduled for 4 May. This is because the MFA is this season organizing a UEFA Under 17 Championship finals tournament between 9 and 21 May next year.