‘We Need To Continue Winning On And Off The Pitch’: Ħamrun Spartans Issues Statement Following Controversial Street Celebrations
As Ħamrun finds itself under the microscope yet again for breaching more COVID-19 measures, the central town’s football club has now issued a statement following a street party that erupted following a football match on Saturday afternoon.
“It has to be instantly said that Ħamrun Spartans did not organise any form of celebration,” this afternoon’s statement signed by the club’s secretary Stephen Saliba started. “However, a lot of people found the perfect occasion to cast a dark shadow on the club and our locality in general.”
“The supporters who didn’t obey the health authorities’ directives were few, and we are informed that the Police has already been in touch with them.” Yesterday, the Malta Police Force confirmed this in a separate Facebook post, announcing that “several fines were issued, particularly during the Ħamrun ‘celebrations’.”
The football club went on to remind people that the three main bars operated by Ħamrun Spartans – namely Strada Rjali, Victor Tedesco Stadium and Nursery Bars – were all closed under last week’s directives.
“The absolute majority of the supporters who went out to celebrate after last Saturday’s match did so safely, such as with carcades where everyone stayed inside their car.”
The second half of Ħamrun Spartans’ statement, meanwhile, seemed to instead be dedicated straight to the club’s supporters.
“We understand that Ħamrun is currently seeing a time that many haven’t seen for a number of years, and we understand that emotions might be running high,” the statement clarifies. “But the championship is still wide open. There are 21 more points to be won and lost, and even though we’re currently in first place, anything can happen.”
“Ħamrun needs to continue winning both on and off the pitch, in this case by obeying the directives and helping the club with methods that don’t go against the instructions we’re being given,” the club said, asking everyone to do “what after all the absolute majority of our supporters are doing”.
“If we continue working together, there will come a time where we reap the fruit of our hard work, and we can celebrate after so many years,” the statement finishes.
This isn’t the first time something similar has happened; just last January, Ħamrun had turned into a street party after the team won 3-0 against Valletta. In fact, it seems like this weekend’s spontaneous celebrations centered around the exact same busy crossroads.
What do you make of this? Let us know in the comments below
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