Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545856
7 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 15 JULY 2026 NEWS SPORT Minister Byron Camilleri said a balance must be struck between the interests of Santa Luċija Football Club and residents as discussions continue over the long-run- ning dispute surrounding the football ground's car park. Responding to a parliamen- tary question by Opposi- tion MP Michael Piccinino, Camilleri said the govern- ment was aware of the issue and confirmed that talks in- volving stakeholders were ongoing. "Balance must be struck be- tween the interests of a foot- ball club and the residents," Camilleri said, adding sport played an important role in promoting physical wellbe- ing. This was confirmed in a parliamentary question, de- spite SportMalta telling the club in September 2024 it is breaching an agreement with the entity in allowing its car park to be used by Christian Borg's Sicily by Car. The minister said he had been informed that discus- sions had taken place, in- cluding with the local coun- cil, and that negotiations were still ongoing. He stressed that the land currently belongs to the San- ta Luċija local council, saying "that has to be stated". Camilleri said the ministry had remained open to as- sisting in finding a solution but insisted the football club should take the lead in the discussions. "As a ministry, we have been open to assisting, and the club should be at the forefront in leading discus- sions," he said. "If a club does not care for the communi- ty it represents, it is doing something wrong." Piccinino's question fol- lows controversy over the use of the football ground's car park after SportMal- ta halted action related to a proposed lease of the site to Christian Borg who faced charges of fraud, kidnapping and money laundering. The move came after con- cerns were raised over plans to lease the public car park, prompting scrutiny of the decision-making process and calls for a resolution that safeguards both community interests and the needs of the football club. The issue has since become the subject of discussions involving the club, the local council and government, with no final agreement yet announced. KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt Sport minister says balance must be struck in Santa Lucija football ground parking dispute MTA starts enforcement proceedings on irregular Swieqi holiday apartments Cars with the Sicily by Car branding parked at Santa Lucija FC parking lot (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday) THE Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) said it has started en- forcement proceedings against a number of holiday apartments in a Swieqi block of flats that re- cently made headlines. The block of flats in question went viral after tourists were seen throwing bottles into the streets and causing a disturbance in a residential area on Sunday evening. On Monday, police fined 12 people a total of around €2,000 as the MTA found that eight of the nine apartments in the block were operating in breach of their licence conditions. On Tuesday, the MTA said it initiated enforcement proceed- ings against the apartments found in breach of conditions. The authority said it is conduct- ing inspections in collaboration with the Community Police, the Swieqi Local Council and other stakeholders to monitor compli- ance with accommodation regu- lations. According to the authority, fol- low-up inspections at the apart- ment block identified multiple breaches of the conditions at- tached to the property's tourism licence. The MTA said it is now taking the legal and enforcement measures available under the law against the licensee. The authority said similar in- spections will continue in Swieqi and other localities to identify cases of non-compliance and en- sure that accommodation pro- viders adhere to the applicable regulatory framework. The MTA also reminded op- erators that, under revised ac- commodation regulations, any property found to have been op- erating as a short-let without the required licence will be prohibit- ed from applying for a licence for three years. MHRA welcomes clampdown Meanwhile, the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) welcomed the clamp- down on the behaviour seen in Swieqi. In a statement, the asso- ciation also praised the police for identifying those involved and issuing on-the-spot fines. The MHRA said the actions demonstrate that breaches of tourism regulations and an- ti-social behaviour will be ad- dressed through enforcement measures. The association argued that the incident highlights the need to increase on-the-spot fines, stating that current penalties are insufficient to deter behaviour that disrupts local communities and damages Malta's tourism reputation. The MHRA said it would con- tinue working with the govern- ment, the Malta Police Force and the MTA on measures aimed at maintaining Malta's reputation as a safe and high-quality tourist destination. Prime Minister Robert Abela and his wife Lydia Abela, have concluded an official visit to Paris, where they attended the French National Day celebrations. The PM and wife were in attendance at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. During the visit, Abela attended the Bastille Day military parade at Place de la Concorde, joining members of the French Government and other international leaders invited to mark the occasion. A contingent from the Armed Forces of Malta also took part in the parade alongside military contingents from other European Union member states as part of the EU's representation during the celebrations. Prime Minister in Paris for Bastille Day military parade Prime Minister Robert Abela and his wide Lydia in Paris for Bastille Day (Photo: DOI) MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt The block of flats in question went viral after tourists were seen throwing bottles into the streets