On the recommendation of the Malta Football Association Executive committee a seminar was held for all its member clubs. Each Club Secretary, Team manager and Team Captain were invited to attend this highly educational seminar held at the Centenary Hall in Ta’Qali.
The Seminar’s first session was directed at Premier and First Division clubs followed by a another for clubs from the Second and Third Divisions. In its endeavours to guide all football stakeholders, not least its own member clubs, the Malta FA consistently presents educational programmes showing participants how to tackle difficult situations connected to match-fixing, which they may encounter in the course of their footballing career. The Seminar was introduced by the Malta FA Integrity Officer, Franz Tabone, who also dwelt on the initiatives and collaborations which the association has managed to build over recent years. He also announced the Integrity Tour 2016 which will once again be held in conjunction with Sportradar and will be touring all Premier Division clubs in November and December of this year. A special stop for this Tour will be for the Media and Task Force members. He also spoke about the Malta FA’s local and international collaboration with various organisations creating a close and important relationship which assists it in its intelligence building process. Dr Adrian Camilleri, Malta FA’s Prosecutor went through the regulations and law, highlighting the responsibilities of players and club officials when approached or are made aware of bribery attempts and incidents. Details of the Prosecutor’s role in investigation and eventual prosecution of offenders were also described in detail. The related sanctions were clearly explained as well as the repercussions associated with non-reporting if a fixed match is exposed. Betting regulations prohibiting players and officials from placing wagers on the Association’s matches at all levels was given high importance. Dr Dominic Micallef, Chief Enforcement Officer from the Malta Gaming Authority spoke about the secure systems the authority operates and also about the information it can access in relation with punters. MGA’s close communication with all European gaming bodies has put it in a better position to monitor football matches and eventually identify suspicious betting in their regard. The MGA has strengthened its collaboration with the Malta Football Association in it’s aim to tackle match-fixing for the mutual benefit of gaming and the sport itself.