Maltese MEP Daniel Attard has been named in an investigation by the Belgian police over a meeting with a Huawei lobbyist at a football match last year.

Huawei is at the centre of a fresh scandal following reports that lobbyists representing the Chinese tech titan bribed members of the European Parliament. The probe centers on an invitation Attard received to attend a football match in September 2024, which was reportedly organised by a Huawei lobbyist under investigation by Belgian authorities.

In a statement released on Monday, Attard confirmed that the European Parliament’s administration informed him of the Belgian authorities’ request to lift his immunity. He stated that the invitation to the match between Anderlecht and Ferencváros came through his Hungarian parliamentary assistant, who asked if Attard would like to join him and his son at what was described as a private and informal event.

The invitation emerged from a person who is currently under investigation by the Belgian authorities and who intended to speak to Attard about Huawei during the match, Attard denies any prior knowledge of this or prior contact with the individual.

“I was simply informed by my assistant that a friend of his had tickets to the match and asked whether I would be interested in accompanying him and his son.”

Huawei was “briefly” mentioned during the game and a meeting was requested. This took place two weeks later in Strasbourg, Attard said. However, he claims to have ensured that all arrangements were transparent as per the rules of the EP.

Following the meeting, Attard had no further communication with the individual and “took no action whatsoever in relation to Huawei or any matters related to the company.”

Attard further explained that he asked the Hungarian assistant to determine the value of the match ticket and to declare it in accordance with the rules of the EP. However, since it did not exceed the €150 threshold – according to the assistant – no declaration was required.

As a response, Attard formally requested to be heard by the relevant authorities to provide a full statement and account of events.