Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1543963
3 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 18 MARCH 2026 NEWS Glenn Micallef warns of World Cup safety risks in Politico interview EU Sports Commissioner Glenn Micallef has warned of safety and security risks at the World Cup this summer due to the US-Israel war in the Middle East. In an interview with Politico, Micallef said he met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino for the first time in February and urged him to ensure that fans travelling to North America to watch the tournament will re- main safe. "Hosts of big sporting events like the FIFA World Cup have a responsibility to ensure that the teams participating and the fans who are attending are assured of their safety and their security," Micallef said. However, since meeting with Infantino, Micallef said his con- cerns haven't been followed up. "Since one of the hosts of this biggest sporting event in the world is party to a war, it's on- ly legitimate that assurances are given," Micallef said. During the interview, Micallef also criticised FIFA for its part- nership with US President Don- ald Trump's Board of Peace. "I would prefer to partner up with multilateral organizations, organizations that respect the international rules-based order, like UNESCO and UNICEF," Micallef said. The Board of Peace, established by Trump in 2025, has triggered fears around the West that the White House is attempting to systematically sideline the Unit- ed Nations. In a summit held last month, shortly before the US and Israel initiated a series of missile strikes against Iran, FIFA pledged $75 million to the board for football infrastructure in Gaza. In addition to security fears in the U.S. surrounding the war in the Middle East, Micallef also voiced concern about the pres- ence of Immigration and Cus- toms Enforcement (ICE) officers as part of World Cup security. This comes after ICE agents shot and killed two American citizens during an immigration crackdown in Minneapolis earli- er this year, followed by a series of protests which spread across the country. Following the death of a cartel boss, Mexico has also been ex- periencing a wave of violence in Jalisco state. This is worrisome to Micallef since Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco, is set to host four World Cup games. A spokesperson from FIFA responded by saying that safe- ty and security is the organiza- tion's "top priority" and that it "is confident that the efforts be- ing made by the governments of Canada, Mexico and the United States will ensure a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for everyone involved". Micallef also warned leaders to not let Russia use sports as a propaganda tool, saying that he has become concerned with the growing normalization of Russia's involvement in world sports. His concern follows after Rus- sian athletes were allowed to compete at the Paralympics in Italy, despite widespread ostra- cism of Moscow after their full- scale invasion of Ukraine. Olympics chief Coventry said that "every eligible athlete must be able to take part without dis- crimination or political interfer- ence", calling it "the essence of Olympism." "For me, from a public policy point of view, and from a public safety point of view, the partic- ipation of countries which are party to a war, irrespective of who they are, raises legitimate public security and public safety concerns," Micallef said. EVA BRANNON ebrannon@mediatoday.com.mt CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 The drugs were discovered concealed within a white Peugeot in a specially modi- fied compartment behind the front driver-side mudguard. The hidden cavity was se- cured with what investigators described as an "alien" screw, one inconsistent with the ve- hicle's original fittings. Forensic expert Gilbert Mer- cieca told the court he exam- ined the vehicle on 3 March 2026, identifying 13 blocks of cocaine concealed within the compartment. Police Inspector Alfredo Mangion outlined how the ar- rests followed extensive sur- veillance operations conduct- ed at the Marsa seaport and in Gudja, ultimately dismantling what is suspected to be an or- ganised trafficking route be- tween Sicily and Malta. Under interrogation, Rober- to allegedly admitted to acting as a courier, stating he had made 11 trips to Malta since December, receiving €1,000 for each journey. He explained that he would collect a vehicle in Catania with keys hidden beneath a floor mat, travel to Malta, and hand it over to Spiteri in Gud- ja. Roberto would then be taken to a hotel in St Julian's while the vehicle remained parked. Although he acknowledged his awareness that the car contained illicit substances, Roberto maintained he did not know the specific type of drug or how it was concealed. Portale meanwhile main- tained she only became sus- picious during the last three trips. She had been under the impression they were travel- ling to Malta to help Roberto find a job. Searches carried out at Spi- teri's residence reportedly uncovered a bag-sealing ma- chine and branding consistent with markings found on the seized cocaine packages. At Mallia's residence, no incriminating items were discovered. However, police recovered tools, including screwdrivers, from his vehi- cle. Defence lawyer Matthew Xuereb argued these were work tools linked to Mall- ia's occupation as a gypsum worker, though the prosecu- tion noted that surveillance had not recorded him engag- ing in such work over several months. During the proceedings, the defence questioned wheth- er plainclothes officers had drawn their firearms dur- ing Mallia's arrest. Inspec- tor Mangion replied that he could not confirm what had occurred, as he had not been present at the scene, but not- ed that officers are typically armed during high-risk oper- ations. The court further heard de- tails regarding the financial circumstances of the Maltese accused. Spiteri, a registered carer, receives €130 per week in social benefits, while Mallia receives €143 weekly in disa- bility benefits. All four accused have plead- ed not guilty. Proceedings are ongoing be- fore Magistrate Elaine Rizzo. The prosecution is being led by AG lawyer Maria Frances- ca Spiteri, assisted by Inspec- tor Alfredo Mangion. Daniela Portale was repre- sented by lawyer Alex Scer- ri Herrera. Agatino Claudio Roberto was assisted by law- yers Arthur Azzopardi and Ja- cob Magri. Jide Mallia was represented by lawyers Marion Camilleri and Matthew Xuereb, while Keith Spiteri was assisted by lawyers Franco Debono and Adreana Zammit. Accused admits to acting as a courier, states he made 11 trips to Malta since December