‘Players Dedicate Win To Mangia’: Malta’s National Team Stands by Coach Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations
Malta’s national team players dedicated their win against Israel to embattled coach Devis Mangia, who was suspended following allegations of sexual misconduct.
“The boys are going through a difficult time and they dedicate this win to Mr Mangia,” stand-in coach David Mazzotta said after Malta’s comeback win.
Earlier that day, Malta Head Coach Devis Mangia was temporarily suspended following alleged sexual advances on at least one national football player.
Police are also reportedly investigating a recording of Mangia’s advances. The MFA executive committee will be meeting later today to discuss the issue.
It has sent shockwaves through the island’s sporting community, while his questionable past raises major questions.
Mangia’s coaching past reveals a lot about a man who was once considered a rising star in Italian coaching.
From 2007 to 2019, Mangia did not remain at any club for more than a year or two, oftentimes for just a few months.
In Italian football, coaches are replaced regularly, typically after a run of defeats and poor performances. However, in Mangia’s case, his teams would often be performing well… only for him to then be dismissed for personal reasons.
In 2021, Romanian media also reported that Mangia had made sexual advances on players.
Italian media had reported on “rumours” swirling around Mangia’s conduct all the way back in 2016.
Il Centro reported on an incident that happened back in May 2016, where a number of Ascoli players complained about “the behaviour of the coach”.
Photo credit insert: Domenic Aquilina – MFA
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