Devis Mangia has resigned as Malta’s national football coach in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations.

Mangia, who has been in charge of the national football team since 2019, said that while he denies the allegations, he has taken the “painful” decision to resign due to the “delicate nature of the circumstance and the importance of the matches facing the national team”.

“Yesterday I informed the Malta Football Association of my intention to relinquish the post of Head Coach of the Malta National Teams,” Mangia said.

“My decision was reached after long deliberation. During my time as Head Coach I had always worked passionately and without favour in the best interest of Maltese football and the national teams. The results achieved are the result of hard work and dedication of many individuals who put football above anything else.”

“It is regrettable that the situation created in these past weeks risk disturbing the serenity within the MFA and the future progress of the Maltese team.”

“I would like to reiterate unequivocally that not only have I not behaved in a manner that offends the dignity of any person, sexual or otherwise, but nor has there been any allegation by MFA of any sexual abuse or harassment in my regard.”

Mangia was suspended as coach in September following alleged sexual advances on at least one national football player. Well-informed sources later told Lovin Malta that at least two others wanted to come forward since the claims were made public.

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