In the latest ‘Only In Malta’ story from the island, a mega developer from Gozo who took over a Ħamrun football club is now planning to take to the pitch as a player having tendered his resignation as President earlier today. – and the island has had some major reactions.

“He is too ‘fat’ cat to run and play,” PN MP Albert Buttigieg said after Replay broke the news that 42-year-old Joseph Portelli was resigning as club president and would be seeking to register as a player with the Malta Football Association.

But it wasn’t only him – Ħaż-Żebbuġ independent councillor Steve Zammit Lupi said he “hopes this is a joke” as otherwise the island’s hit rock bottom

But most people didn’t hold back with their reactions online. 

“Can we tell him yes but then he has to stop building in every corner in return?”

“Now he’ll take a penalty in the last minute, the goaler stays in the middle and it’s all done… You truly need to be a fool to go to the grounds and waste your time there like I do,” said one local football fan.

“If Ħamrun accept this, the club will have shown it truly doesn’t care about its young players.”

“Respect the players please!” one person simply said.

Even though the MFA has been rocked by the recent sexual scandal regards former national coach Devis Mangia, today the MFA said it may not accept the resignation and change of roles to safeguard its reputation… which speaks volumes of just how strange Portelli’s move is.