In an unprecedented move TVMSport+ has published on its website the footage of a dramatic fight during the Qala Saints vs Nadur Youngsters 1st Division Gozo Football League match.
The footage of the fight is of inferior quality than the original highlights footage which is usually supplied by Gozo based audio visual company CVC Media which is subcontracted by the GFA to film the GFA League games.
It is unusual for TVMSport to publish such footage of ‘disorder or misconduct in public during sporting events’ as the PBS broadcaster has for several years adopted a very conservative approach. After a cross check it resulted that the first media outlet to have published the video was newsbook.com.mt who uploaded the audiovisual edit early in the morning.
The incident involved Qala Saints President Noel Mizzi and Nadur Youngsters coach Paul Azzopardi who have since then each been handed a one-year suspension by the Malta Football Association’s Disciplinary Commissioner.
The decision follows an incident that occurred last Sunday during the match between the two sides, which Nadur Youngsters won 1–0. Several other individuals namely players and members of the technical staff are seen trying their best to fend off the pair. In one instance a lady is seen coming close to the field of play to speak with someone.
The trouble began in the 73rd minute, when Nadur’s Joseph Xerri was sent off by referee Fyodor Zammit for a foul in midfield. TVMSport reported that Xerri, together with Paul Azzopardi, was walking towards the dressing room and had to pass in front of the Qala Saints bench. It is alleged that racist remarks were directed at Xerri, sparking a heated argument involving several people, including Azzopardi and Mizzi.
Footage: newsbook.com.mt & TVMSport
