Watch: Joseph Portelli Rips Into Joseph Muscat’s Radical Plan For Maltese Premier League
Ħamrun Spartans president Joseph Portelli has come out strongly against a plan by Joseph Muscat to radically revamp the Maltese Premier League.
In an interview on NET TV’s Replay, Portelli warned the new system – which was recently approved by the majority of Premier League clubs – will dilute the league by lessening the value of points achieved throughout a season.
“I was one of those who fought in favour of Joseph Muscat leading the Malta Premier League, because I always believed the MFA can only reach a certain level where clubs are concerned,” Portelli said.
“I am not interested in politics, only in whether the person in charge of the league knows how to lead and has experience in leadership,” he said.
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“However, down the line – and I don’t know if it was his idea or whether some clubs spoke to him – but there was a meeting when Joseph decided to change the championship to bring clubs closer to each other.”
“I have no problem with improving the championship for the better, but I can never be in favour of turning it into a championship without points as is being proposed.”
As per the new rules, 12 Premier League clubs will play one game against each other in an initial league, with the top six and bottom six then split into two groups. The winner of the first group will win the first championship.
After a short break, the league will start from scratch, meaning the 12 teams will play against each other again, after which they will be split into groups.
If the same club who won the original championship wins the second one too, they will automatically crowned Malta Premier League winners. However, if a different club wins, the two clubs will face off against each other in a final to determine the ultimate winner.
Portelli said that proponents of this new system are concerned with the MPL becoming a one-team league and believe that ending the season on a decider will make it more exciting.
However, he warned the new system will essentially incentivise clubs to forego the first half of the league and spend the lion’s share of their budget in the second half, when the transfer window reopens.
“If you have an annual budget of €600,000, you can spend €100,000 in the first few months and €500,000 in the second half. Is that what we want Maltese football to become?”
“No one will do anything from September to December; clubs could simply play their kids, safe in the knowledge that nothing will happen if they finish last. Then they will build a team in January but the level won’t be as high as it currently is.”
Do you agree with the new plans for the Maltese league?
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