Adrian Delia Brought In As Lawyer For Footballer Claiming Sexual Misconduct By Malta Coach
A footballer alleging sexual misconduct by Malta’s national football team coach Devis Mangia has brought in PN MP Adrian Delia as his lawyer.
Delia confirmed this when asked by Lovin Malta, but said no court case has been filed so far. He declined to speak further about the Mangia situation as he is bound by client confidentiality.
Delia has experience in the football world, having been vice-president and later president of Birkirkara FC before he stepped down in 2017 to become PN leader.
Mangia was suspended by the Malta Football Association this week after a footballer reported him for alleged sexual misconduct. Since then, another player has come forward with similar allegations.
Last night, the MFA instructed its safeguarding board – spearheaded by Andrew Azzopardi – to investigate the case and come up with recommendations.
Suspended Malta manager Devis Mangia
The process is expected to take around three weeks.
Mangia has denied the allegations, stating that he has never shown harmful conduct towards the person or sexual dignity of anyone, not least to a footballer.
“This is all unfounded and false news that seriously damages my personal dignity and my professional reputation,” he said.
Mangia has been in charge of Malta since 2019 and has led the national team to some famous results, including a 3-0 victory over Cyprus and a 2-2 draw with Slovakia last year and victories against the likes of Latvia and Gibraltar.
The scandal doesn’t seem to have impacted the morale of the Malta national team, which beat Israel 2-1 last night thanks to two late goals from Alex Satariano and Ferdinando Apap.
Stand-in coach Davide Mazzotta said the players dedicated the victory to Mangia.
Malta’s next game is scheduled to take place on 20th November, a friendly at home against the Republic of Ireland.
Cover photo: Left: PN MP Adrian Delia, Right: Malta manager Devis Mangia
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