Joseph Portelli’s Footballing Dream Over After MFA Refuses To Let Him Play For Ħamrun Spartans
The Malta Football Association has rejected Joseph Portelli’s request to be registered as a footballer for his club Ħamrun Spartans, Replay has reported.
The decision was taken today following an urgent MFA executive meeting held on transfer deadline day to discuss Portelli’s extraordinary request. Ħamrun Spartans will appeal the decision.
Joseph Portelli, owner of construction firm J. Portelli Projects, took over Ħamrun Spartans in 2020 and immediately led them to their first Malta Premier League victory in 30 years.
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Ħamrun Spartans slipped to fourth the following season, with Hibernians winning the league, but are well on course to win this league and are currently 11 points clear at the top of the table.
They also performed admirably at this year’s UEFA Europa Conference League, knocking out Alashkert, Velez Mostar and Levski Sofia, before eventually losing to FK Partizan in the final match before the group stage.
Portelli, 43, resigned as Ħamrun Spartans president ahead of the team’s expected league victory so as to allow his club to throw him on in a game once the trophy had been secured.
However, several football fans warned this would make a mockery of the Maltese league and Maltese football general, as well as Ħamrun Spartans themselves.
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