Joseph Muscat Denies Interest In MFA Presidency, Leaves Door Open For Top Football Executive Role
After being voted in as chairperson of the Malta Professional Football Clubs Association, former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat denied that he is viewing the role as a stepping stone to the Malta Football Association presidency.
“My focus is on this voluntary role and I have no intention to contest the MFA presidency,” Muscat told Lovin Malta. “This speculation is a figment of the imagination of some very imaginative minds.”
Muscat was narrowly approved as chairman last night, with seven Maltese Premier League clubs voting in favour of his nomination, four voting against and three abstaining.
Although his role is a voluntary one, the MPFCA harbours grand aspirations to take over the management of the Maltese Premier League, leaving the MFA responsible for Malta’s national teams and grassroots football.
MFA President Bjorn Vassallo
In a strategy document for Maltese football, the MFA confirmed that it will fund the MPFCA for three years to help it develop a business strategy, employ a full-time CEO and secretarial staff and lease an office.
Former PL MP Jean Claude Micallef, who was involved in the segregation plan, has declared his interest in becoming CEO but has voiced serious concerns about Muscat becoming chairman.
Micallef told Lovin Malta that a Muscat chairmanship risks promoting a parochial and partisan mentality, rather than a professional one, at the cost of the reputation of Maltese football
“All prolific people come with their own baggage and it’s up to them to see how to carry it but let’s not utilise an organisation to carry their baggage for them,” he said.
Asked by Lovin Malta whether he sees the importance of a CEO position within the MPFCA and whether he thinks Micallef would fit the bill, Muscat played it coy but left the door open.
“It is premature to speak about any vacancies at this point but undoubtedly there is space for a top executive role,” he said.
And when asked how he intends to get the majority of Premier League clubs around him, considering that half of them didn’t vote for him in what was a one-horse race, Muscat responded that “as I always did, I intend working to unite a common front not only within the Premier League but among all stakeholders”.
Yesterday evening, Muscat said he plans to help implement “ambitious but feasible reforms” to modernise the Maltese Premier League.
These reforms include implementing a plan for Maltese clubs to progress further in European competitions, ensuring more women are involved at club management, investing in more young talent and attracting more fans.
Cover photo: From left: Former PL MP Jean Claude Micallef, Hibernians winning the 2021-22 BOV Premier League, former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat
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