Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1520629
7 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 12 MAY 2024 KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt Vacancies (IT Projects) For more info visit micas.art/get-involved or contact people@micas.art micas.art All vacancies closing at noon Monday 20 th May 2024 Executive Jobsplus Permit no. 39/2024 (Retail) Manager Jobsplus Permit no. 46/2024 THE Malta Football Association insisted it is a distinct entity from the Malta Premier League when asked whether it is concerned over developments surrounding the latter's chairman – Joseph Muscat. "The Malta Premier League (MPL), whilst being a grouping representing a number of MFA members (Premier League clubs), is not a member of the MFA it- self, and it is therefore an inde- pendent body," an MFA spokes- person told this newspaper. Muscat will later this month be charged with accepting bribes, corruption in public office, mon- ey laundering and being part of a criminal organisation in relation to the Vitals hospitals deal. After exiting politics, Muscat went on to become the chairper- son of the newly founded Malta Premier League, which brings together the topflight football clubs. "The Malta FA is indeed in the process of setting up a new com- mercial entity with MPL, which entity is distinct of any of its shareholders," the MFA spokes- person added. Questions on whether the MFA will seek to revise it collaboration with the MPL considering the charges, remained unanswered. Similarly, questions to the MPL as to whether Muscat will be sus- pending himself, and whether the MPL board feels comfortable working with him, remained un- answered. The Malta FA and the MPL will jointly manage a newly estab- lished company tasked with or- ganising the Premier League for five consecutive football seasons starting from 2024/25. The MPL was officially estab- lished in August of last year, building on its earlier version, the Malta Professional Football Clubs Association. A few weeks later, in October 2022, it was recognised by the Malta FA's Executive Board as the organisation representing clubs playing in the highest tier of the National Championship. In November 2022, the MPL became an official affiliate of the European Leagues (EL), the or- ganisation that brings together the professional football leagues in Europe. Since then, the MPL engaged in constant dialogue with the Malta FA, to deliver a more attractive, competitive, and sustainable Premier League. Kevin Deguara case to be assessed by MFA ethics committee after charges Among those facing criminal charges in the Vitals case is Żab- bar St Patrick FC President Kevin Deguara. The club was promoted to the premier division from the Challenge League this season. A lawyer by profession, De- guara's company, DF Advocates was involved in a number of deals undertaken by the Labour gov- ernment since 2013. According to his Facebook profile, he is a director at the American Univ- eristy of Malta, The Convenience Shop and Dizz Group. This newspaper reached out to the MFA to ask whether the criminal charges filed against De- guara could land the football club in trouble with MFA regulations "The Association's Reputation- al Risk Management Policy states that insofar as cases relating to officers of a member, the matter should be assessed by the Ethics and Compliance committee, and following its recommendation the matter will be discussed and finally determined by the Ex- ecutive Committee," the MFA spokesperson said. Once formal notification is served onto all concerned, the es- tablished procedure will regulate the steps to be taken. "In any case, any decision tak- en shall be at such a stage of a precautionary nature, and a fi- nal decision shall be taken once all criminal proceedings are fi- nal and binding," the MFA add- ed. Vitals scandal MFA insists it is distinct entity from Malta Premier League after Muscat charges Left: Joseph Muscat at a meeting of the Malta Premier League, and (above) Zabbar St Patrick's President Kevin Deguara (left) receiving a memento from MFA President Bjorn Vassallo during the latter's visit to the club in 2022