The Malta Football Association has assured that it will leave “no stone unturned” in the pursuit of facts surrounding the Devis Mangia sexual misconduct case.

Allegations involving the Malta National Team head coach and technical director Mangia have recently surfaced, after a number of footballers accused the coach of sexual misconduct.

“The executive board resolved that it will leave no stone unturned in its pursuit of facts and reiterated its full trust in the association’s structures and processes. To this effect, the association is always open to any form of whistleblowing and all reports of this nature are treated very seriously,” it said in a statement following yesterday’s board meeting.

During the executive board meeting, it was decided that Mangia will remain suspended for the following three weeks, pending results from his inquiry. 

Andrew Azzopardi, chairman of the association’s safeguarding board, is now responsible for taking decisions related to safeguarding investigations.

It is now up to the safeguarding officer to investigate the allegations made, gather information, and compile a report about the case, with the inquiry commencing immediately.

MFA President Bjorn Vassallo also assured that background checks were carried out prior to the appointment of Mangia.

“It is of paramount importance that we explain the background checks undertaken by the Association prior to Mangia’s appointment. This detailed account shows that, contrary to speculation, the Malta FA was thorough in its efforts to assess the coach’s background based on official information provided by entities rather than relying on speculation,” Vassallo said.

Mangia was suspended from coaching duties over the last days following alleged sexual advances on at least one national football player.

Well-informed sources have told Lovin Malta that at least two others want to come forward since the claims were made public.

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