Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1520224
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 5 MAY 2024 7 INTERVIEW The following are excerpts from the interview. The full interview can be found on maltatoday.com.mt as well as our Facebook and Spotify pages. Scan this QR code to see the full interview. Maltese football is at an interesting juncture. For the first time we will see the premier league functioning as a separate entity from the MFA. Why are you doing this? As everyone knows, the premier league and its clubs have certain needs which lower leagues do not. Even European qualification comes into play, and the expectations are higher when it comes to administration. Through this change, more liberties and leeway will be allowed on certain aspects like commercialisation, and this is aimed at helping both the clubs and the league to evolve and grow. Do you agree with the new league format? The new league format is just a single aspect of the reform, and more changes will come into play. On whether one agrees or not with the format is debatable. One has to see what will happen in practice. This is not the first time changes have been implemented in the premier division. There are other aspects like commercialisation which will contribute to this so-called revolution. There are other items on the agenda which will help move the premier league forward. Some have criticised the new for- mat, as they claim it will open up the league to more corruption and match fixing. Do you agree? Allegations of corruption are made across the footballing world. I don't think it's a local issue, and I don't think it will be aided or unaided by the new league format. The MFA has its procedures in place which will remain in place, no matter what format or structure the league will take. If there are situations like in the past, where evidence backs up the allegation, we will take the needed action and carry out the investigations. At the helm of the MPL is Joseph Muscat, with him he brings all the heavy baggage linked to the Vitals inquiry. Are you afraid it could af- fect the MFA's reputation? What happens beyond football, the country has its own institutions which will deal with the ongoing procedures. The MFA is purely focussed on football. The regulation and administration of football are its roles, and these will continue irrespective of what happens at the MPL. I feel one should not mix up what is being carried out by the MPL with the work and function of the MFA. Georgia have just qualified for this year's Euro finals. A decade ago, Malta was able to get a good result against Georgia, but now they will play in the Euros and Malta has remained at the same level. What's going wrong? I think it's important to note that the majority of their players are playing abroad. It is the same situation we have at the women's national team, with a large cohort of players playing in other countries. Leagues abroad are much more competitive, and you improve more as a player, so that is the reason behind their success. Is it a cultural problem that Maltese players don't succeed abroad? I think the situation has improved at younger levels, but yes, I do feel it is a cultural problem. We enjoy the family and comfort around us, while abroad you must make that extra effort that not everyone is willing to commit to. PHOTOS: JAMES BIANCHI / MALTA TODAY