An Albanian player who was brought to Malta by Gudja United to play at the local football league today filed a judicial protest against the club for failing to apply to obtain a work permit for him.

Ervin Kurti arrived in Malta on 27 June last year after Gudja United expressed their interest in his services. Kurti started training with the club but was never given a work permit, even after a year residing in Malta.

The protest before the Civil Court was filed this morning against George Grech and Gordon Grech representing the football club. Lawyer Malcolm Mifsud argued that Mr Kurti had to be registered with Employment and Training Corporation before being registered with the club. It appears the club had asked the player to pay €280 as a fee to have him registered with ETC.

In the meantime, Kurti had signed the contract with the club and was given the impression that he was officially a member of Gudja United. Kurti was told he would be paid once he is registered with the Malta Football Association.

Despite having paid the fine, the club never applied for the player’s work permit. 

Later, on 20 July of this year, the player suffered a grievous injury while on training. He had to stop training and had to leave the country because he did not possess the necessary permits.

The judicial protest, which also requests a year’s salary with the club, was signed by lawyer Malcolm Mifsud.