Joseph Portelli’s bid to be registered as a Hamrun Spartans player has been turned down by The Malta Football Association’s (MFA) Executive Board.

In a statement, the MFA said: "The Malta FA Executive Board met today to discuss the request by Ħamrun Spartans FC to register Mr Joseph Portelli as a professional player following his resignation from the post of club president. The recommendation of the Ethics and Compliance Committee not to accept the registration was confirmed by the Executive Board, which is ultimately the competent body to decide on such matters on the basis of the Association's Reputational Risk Management Policy."

"The decision is subject to appeal."

Yesterday, the Hamrun Spartans Football Club had presented Portelli’s resignation from the post of club President. The resignation had to take place before the club could attempt to register him as a player. Malta’s football rules dictate that it is not possible for a president to be registered as a player.

Last April, Portelli had played for Nadur Youngsters in a 1-1 draw against Kercem Ajax.  He scored Nadur’s equalising goal from the penalty spot.

He had played football competitively in Gozo with Nadur when he was much younger, but had stopped the sport due to other personal commitments.

Portelli is a well-known developer whose projects have created environmental controversies in the past years.

Portelli’s companies, apart from sponsoring Hamrun, are also sponsors of Nadur Youngsters, where Portelli’s son serves as president, Qala Saints and, in waterpolo, San Giljan ASC.