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MFA striving to facilitate dialogue on COVID-19 challenges

Published: 01-04-2020 18:35
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Malta Football Association President Bjorn Vassallo has reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to facilitate dialogue in addressing the difficulties and challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Dialogue on these pressing matters continued today during a videoconference meeting Vassallo had with the presidents of the BOV Premier League clubs. Also this afternoon, UEFA hosted a working-meeting with the general secretaries of all 55 UEFA member associations. “Following today’s videoconference meeting at European level, there is no definite date as to when the football competitions can resume during these unprecedented times,” the Malta FA President said. “UEFA and all the stakeholders in European football, namely FIFPro on behalf of the players, the European Club Association (ECA) as clubs’ representatives and the European Leagues, have renewed their collective commitment to try and complete the domestic seasons once the spread of the COVID-19 had receded. “At today’s meeting, UEFA presented a scenario for the potential return of the domestic competitions which extends to the summer months. We need to wait for further developments in the coming weeks. “On the other hand, the Malta Football Association is constantly striving to facilitate dialogue between the local social partners, especially the clubs and players who represent the employer and employee, in pursuit of a compromise at a time the sports activities have been disrupted by the COVID-19 crisis.” While emphasising that public health remains the foremost priority, Vassallo said that it is imperative for the Malta FA and all the stakeholders in local football to discuss and take the necessary decisions to mitigate the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. “There are existing contracts involving players, coaches and other staff, with the number of affected persons exceeding 1,000, and at this stage, the only thing the Malta FA can do at is to facilitate negotiations which will hopefully lead to decisions that safeguard our clubs and all those involved in Maltese football,” Vassallo said. “The financial impact of COVID-19 is very negative, both at local and international level, and it is for this reason that UEFA is supporting the possibility of completing the domestic championships and European competitions so that TV rights contracts and associated revenues remain intact. This is being done to try and protect the solidarity mechanisms through which these funds are distributed to clubs across Europe and Member Associations. If this scenario fails to materialise, the financial ramifications will be more serious than initially anticipated. “In situations like these, we must proceed with caution, follow the advice and directives of the health authorities and allow the competent bodies to address these issues so that they can guide us on the best way forward. “There is no doubt that our Association needs to take important and difficult measures to safeguard our position today and to ensure a sustainable future for football.”