Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545300
7 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 10 JUNE 2026 SPORTS ASA: No prima facie evidence of water polo match-fixing THE Aquatic Sports Asso- ciation (ASA) has said there is no prima facie evidence of match-fixing or coordinated illegal activity following an in- vestigation into sports betting activity within Malta's water polo community. In a statement issued on Mon- day, the ASA responded to a report concerning the findings of a Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) investigation into bet- ting patterns linked to water polo matches. The report highlighted suspi- cious betting activity, including a concentration of profitable bets placed on certain matches, prompting scrutiny by regula- tors and international sports bodies. The ASA said it had treated the matter "very seriously" and had reviewed the reports and evidence made available to it. "To date, and from the re- ports and evidence handed to the ASA, it appears that there is no prima facie evidence of any match fixing or coordinat- ed illegal activity that would require criminal investigation," the association said. The governing body said it had remained in close contact throughout the process with European Aquatics and World Aquatics, the latter of which has been leading the investiga- tion. While ruling out evidence warranting a criminal probe at this stage, the ASA stressed the importance of protecting the integrity of the sport and said greater awareness around sports betting was needed. "The ASA believes regular education and awareness-rais- ing initiatives on sports betting are necessary to safeguard the future of the sport moving for- ward," the statement said. The association said it is developing educational pro- grammes that will be rolled out to clubs and players in the coming months. "Integrity in sport is vital, and the ASA is investing in this ar- ea to safeguard the game and support the long-term good of the water polo community," it added. The MGA report has raised questions about betting activ- ity surrounding Maltese water polo competitions, although no allegations of match manipula- tion have been substantiated. World Aquatics continues to oversee the investigation. KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt EAP Malta International athletics meeting to be held at the Matthew Micallef St John Athletics Stadium MALTA will welcome athletes from across the globe on 13 June when the seventh edition of the EAP Malta International takes place at the Matthew Micallef St John Athletics Stadium in Marsa. The event has become one of Malta's leading athletics meet- ings and is recognised as a World Athletics Continental Tour Chal- lenger Meeting, making it an important fixture on the interna- tional athletics calendar. Organised by Pembroke Ath- leta, the competition is expected to attract more than 170 foreign athletes, alongside a strong con- tingent of Maltese competitors. Participants will compete for val- uable World Athletics ranking points that contribute towards qualification for major interna- tional championships. Since its launch in 2019, the EAP Malta International has grown significantly in stature. The first edition attracted 57 foreign athletes, while the 2025 meeting drew 162 international competitors and more than 180 Maltese athletes. The event's technical standard has also improved steadily. Or- ganisers said the meeting's World Athletics ranking rose from 878 place in 2022 to 340 place in 2025 among more than 1,500 athletics meetings worldwide. "The EAP Malta International continues to strengthen its rep- utation as an international ath- letics event of a high standard," organisers said. "Its inclusion on the World Athletics calendar and Continental Tour Challenger sta- tus reflects the quality of compe- tition and organisation that the event has achieved." Athletes from numerous coun- tries across Europe, Africa and beyond are expected to compete in a full programme of track and field events, providing Maltese athletes with the opportunity to test themselves against interna- tional competition without leav- ing the country. Among the notable internation- al athletes expected to compete are Switzerland's Felix Svensson in the 200m, Gabon's Guy Ma- ganga Gorra in the sprint events, Romania's Alexandru Sorin Voinea in the 400m and Germa- ny's Sina Mayer in the 100 and 200m. The Maltese contingent will include national champions Gra- ham Pellegrini, Matthew Galea Soler and Claire Azzopardi. Competition begins on Friday evening with the 5,000m races, before a full track and field pro- gramme takes place on Saturday from 3pm to 8pm. Organisers said the event con- tinues to play an important role in promoting Malta as a destina- tion for international sport and thanked sponsors, volunteers, technical officials, SportMalta, Visit Malta and other stakehold- ers for their support. Entrance to the event is free. Reporting by Karl Azzopardi