Archives

Kosovo and Albania experiences for Maltese refs

Published: 09-03-2017 17:50
image1 (102)
A group of Maltese match officials headed to Kosovo last weekend to officiate a top-flight game as part of an exchange agreement between the national associations of the two countries. On the same weekend, Kosovar match officials visited Malta to control two BOV Premier League games. Elite referee Philip Farrugia, together with FIFA assistant referee Christopher Francalanza, elite assistant referee William Debattista and elite referee Etienne Mangion as fourth official, took charge of the Superliga match between KF Trepça’89 and KF Ferizaj at the Mitrovice Stadium. The game ended 1-1. The team included Adrian Azzopardi who acted as referee observer for the match between KF Liria and KF Besa. “Such opportunities for our top referees and assistant referees to officiate abroad are an avenue for further development,” the MFA Refereeing Department said. This was the second exchange visit by Malta FA match officials in the space of one week. On February 25, referee Sandro Spiteri controlled the match between Fier Apolonia and KS Lushnja (0-2) from Albania’s first division league. He was assisted by Peter Abela and Ryan Aquilina, while Glen Tonna acted as fourth official. The following day, referee Glen Tonna was in charge of the Superliga encounter between KF Tirana vs KS Flamurtari which ended goalless. Peter Abela and Ryan Aquilina were the two assistant referees while Sandro Spiteri acted as fourth official. This was the first experience for Maltese officials in Albania. They were accompanied by Referees’ Committee Member Alex Arena who was referee observer for the match between KF Vlaznia and KF Skenderbeu.