The behaviour of football supporters in Malta reflects the island's strong sense of community, identity, and rivalry. Although our country is small in size there is passion for the local game especially in the Malta Premier League. The football games in Malta is deeply rooted in tradition.
Maltese supporters are generally very loyal to their clubs. Like village festas, many fans inherit their allegiance from family members, supporting the same team for generations. Historic clubs such as Valletta FC, Floriana FC, Hamrun S. FC, Sliema W. FC, Hibernians FC and Birkirkara FC enjoy strong followings, and derby matches often attract large crowds.One of the most entertaining matches is the derby which pits Valletta against Florian. Here rivalry is one of the oldest and most passionate, creating an electric atmosphere in the stadium.
But is the atmosphere generated in our stadia something to boast off. We are witnessing the noise of bands in every match. A small formation which sings the festive marches which we are accustomed to during the 'marc ta' filghodu' in our village festas. And the problem worsens when apart from the odd hymn, all the bands play practically the same marches. So the neutral supporter is being overdosed with this kind of music.
Normally Maltese football supporters are vocal and expressive. And thus one would expect more singing, chanting, drumming, and waving large banners. Supporters' groups such work on more organised coordinated displays, bringing colour and energy to matches. In this day and age, social media can amplify supporter engagement, with fans actively discussing tactics, refereeing decisions, and club management online.
Having said this, like in many football cultures, behaviour can sometimes cross the line. Heated rivalries occasionally lead to verbal abuse or confrontations, particularly during high-stakes fixtures. While serious violence is relatively rare compared to some larger footballing nations, tensions can escalate as was the case last Sunday and in the VVIP area. This is totally unacceptable. If there are persons who cannot control their emotions and should stay put. Lets not lose what authorities and clubs have worked for in recent years - promoting fair play and reducing unsporting conduct.
Rivalry, celebration, and, at times, controversy is what makes football the beautiful game. But lets keep it clean and not stain it with unnecessary incidents which make no good to our game which is evolving fast and making strides.
' We were always in control '
- Jake Grech, captain Floriana FC
'It wasn't an easy week for us with three matches in a week and also the demise of Julian Attard.' Floriana captain Jake Grech speaking following a five star performance by the Greens against Hibernians. Grech added. 'The first half was rather balanced though we were always in control of the match. But we dominated the second half against a very good team who have just won the Super Cup. I would like to thank our supporters as we are committed to keep marching on towards the top.'
' Set pieces hit us hard '
- Kurt Shaw, defender Hibernians FC
'When you suffer goals from set pieces it's very difficult to win'. These were the first comments given by Hibernians defender Kurt Shaw following his team's defeat against Floriana. Shaw continued. 'Floriana have got great quality, looking at who come on from the bench is enough. I believe that we weren't bad but we can't conceed three goals from set pieces. Now we have to look into our next matches, we are aware of the importance of the three matches left but we have got a short squad and we have to roll up our sleeves and work harder.'
CURIOSITIES
v Floriana's win over Hibernians was the first time under Daniel Portela that the Greens scored four goals in an MPL match this season. Adding to this, the last time that Floriana scored four against Hibernians in the League was in season 2006/07 - a match which also ended 4-1.
v Mosta are presently passing through a difficult period and their achilles tendon seems to be the lack of goals. In fact they last found the net in the first minute of the match against Floriana on the 25th January. Since then they didn't score in six matches or ten and a half hours, failing to beat the opposing goalkeepers of Tarxien, Birkirkara, Sliema W., Naxxar L., Hibernians and Gzira Utd.
v Last Saturday's Sliema win against Valletta extends their unbeaten run to five matches. In the process they found the net in all these matches. Good signs for the Wanderers when they are now fighting to grab a place amongst the top six.
CLOSING ROUND TABLE
Floriana 20
Ħamrun S. 18
Marsaxlokk 14
Gżira Utd. 13
Naxxar L. 13
Sliema W. 12
Valletta 12
Birkirkara 11
Hibernians 10
Żabbar SP 5
Tarxien R. 4
Mosta 1
RESULTS - MD 24
B'Kara - Zabbar SP 0-3
Tarxien R. - Naxxar L. 1-2
Valletta - Sliema W. 0-1
Mosta - Gzira Utd. 0-1
Floriana - Hibernians 4-1
Ħamrun S. - M'Xlokk 2-0
NEXT MATCHES - MD 25
Saturday 28th February
Tony Bezzina Stadium
2.00pm Tarxien R. - Sliema W.
4.30pm Gżira Utd. - Zabbar SP
Stadium Nazzjonali
2.00pm Mosta - M 'Xlokk
4.30pm Hibernians - Valletta
Sunday 1st March
Centenary Stadium
11.00am Naxxar L. - Birkirkara
Tony Bezzina Stadium
4.00pm Ħamrun S. - Floriana
CLEAN SHEETS
Ħamrun S. 16
Valletta 12
Birkirkara 11
Floriana 10
Marsaxlokk 8
Gżira Utd. 8
Sliema W. 7
Żabbar SP 6
Mosta 5
Hibernians 3
Naxxar L. 3
Tarxien R. 1
TOP SCORERS
L. Villela (Hibernians) 11
Y. Messias (Valletta) 10
J. Grech (Floriana) 9
P. Emanuel (Mosta) 8
C. Padilha Mendonca (Hibernians) 8
Vitinho (Naxxar L.) 8
A. Penha da Costa (Gżira Utd.) 8
J. Mbong (Hamrun S.) 8
M. Jah (Floriana) 7
P. Santiago (Żabbar SP) 7
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