The Malta Football Association’s Protest Board has upheld Victoria Hotspurs FC’s protest following their National Amateur League match against St. George’s, played on December 13, 2024.
The Board awarded three points to Victoria Hotspurs FC, resulting in a 3-0 victory for them.
The protest was lodged by Victoria Hotspurs FC, who claimed that a player from St. George’s FC was ineligible to play in the match, which violated the MFA’s Competition Rules.
Originally the game ended in a 2-0 win for St. George’s, ending Victoria Hotspurs FC’s perfect record and 26-game unbeaten run.
Meanwhile in a statement, St. George’s expressed frustration and disagreement with the decision made by the Malta Football Association (MFA) Protest Board. The club feels that the MFA board misunderstood its own rules. Specifically, they argue that amateur players can be registered from June 1st until the end of January, a practice that has been followed by other teams.
The club also points out that the ruling made by the MFA board applies to the Premier and Challenge leagues, not the Amateur League in which they compete. Despite this, the club is considering legal options to challenge the decision, as they feel the MFA system does not offer much room for appeal.
They are disappointed by the repeated negative decisions from the MFA when their club has been involved in protests. The statement also mentions upcoming changes that could cause confusion about the transfer periods for amateur players, but the club remains determined to compete at the highest level and aim for a top 4 finish.
Finally, the statement expresses gratitude for the support of their fans as they work through these difficulties.
