Let’s start with a tongue-in-cheek remark.
We have a former Prime Minister, Joseph Muscat, who is now interested in a project to take a football team of Maltese nationals to play in the third division league in Italy. After relegating Malta to the third tier of standards, rule of law and governance with his inability to tackle corruption, a place in the third division really suits him.
But, aside from this consideration, the Malta Football Association should think again before involving Muscat in the mission, given the way he was forced to quit his position as head of government as links between a murder and his office mounted in the latter part of last year. The project would start very much on the wrong foot if Muscat is part of it.
It has been years since the idea to have a Maltese representation in the Italian Serie C was floated. The intention is to have Maltese players, especially the younger ones, gain more experience which would then come in handy later at international level, when they play for the national team.
We all know that the standards of Maltese football have plummeted in the past years. In December’s FIFA world rankings, Malta was in 184th place, its worst ever end-of year position (equal to the 2017 result). One common argument that is made to give a reason why we fare so badly is that few, very few, of our Maltese players play in foreign leagues.
Small countries like ours have made great strides forward on the international stage after many of their home-grown players were recruited by clubs playing in competitions that are, by far, of a higher level than their domestic league could ever be. By playing in England, Italy, France, Germany, Spain and other countries – not necessarily in the top division – these players confronted themselves with tough opposition week after week, and this enabled them to improve their game.
So, in a nutshell, the idea of having a team from Malta taking part in a foreign league is one that should be explored in full. It must be said, however, that before taking a final decision, the MFA must also give due consideration on the impact such participation could have on Maltese clubs, particularly when their players are selected to be part of the squad playing in Italy, and also how the national leagues will be affected.
It is the involvement of Muscat that is worrying. His standing in the international sphere is not the same as his reputation among narrow-minded Labour supporters. The MFA should not link its name with that of Muscat.
Let’s finish with another tongue-in-cheek remark.
At the same time that Joseph Muscat is looking into the possibility of getting himself involved in a football project, the man who he looks down on and who he often ridiculed is now on his way to take up a prestigious post in European politics, a position Muscat was prepared to give up everything for, if he had been given the chance. But Europe did not give him the opportunity.
Simon Busuttil’s appointment as secretary general of the European People’s Party is a big jump forward for the former Opposition Leader. For Muscat, jumping from the Prime Minister’s seat to a post with the MFA would be a huge relegation.