A brewing controversy in the BOV Challenge League has sparked a protest and potential disciplinary action following Mgarr United FC’s formal complaint against Santa Lucia FC over the eligibility of Ghanaian player Emmanuel Asante. The protest centres on claims of dual registration violations and alleged falsification of documents, invoking FIFA’s strict rules regarding player transfers.
Emmanuel Asante was officially confirmed to be registered with Santa Lucia FC as a professional player from September 2, 2024, until the end of the season. However, evidence has surfaced, primarily through Facebook posts and online videos that show Asante actively playing for Kotoku Shining Stars FC during the same period. This raised suspicions and prompted Mgarr United to investigate further after Santa Lucia fielded the player in their February 2, 2025, Challenge League match at Victor Tedesco Stadium, where Santa Lucia faced off against Mgarr United.
FIFA regulations on player eligibility explicitly state that a player may only be registered and play for one club at a time. Article 4.2 of FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players is particularly relevant in this case, outlining the serious consequences of dual registration or falsification of documents. According to the rules:
“-Article 4.2.1: A player may only be registered with one member club at a time.
-Article 4.2.2:The signing of a second registration form by a player for another club without the necessary authorization or release constitutes a serious offence.“
Mgarr United’s protest references these regulations, arguing that Santa Lucia’s fielding of Asante violated Article 4.2 and amounts to a breach of both national and international regulations. The club is demanding disciplinary action by the Malta Football Association’s Control and Disciplinary Board.
During the February 2 match, Asante made his debut for Santa Lucia against Mgarr United, a fact that triggered the formal protest lodged by Mgarr on February 4, 2025. Mgarr’s complaint, submitted by club official Christian Muscat, points to what they describe as serious procedural violations involving Asante’s registration. The protest was filed with supporting evidence, including videos and social media activity showing Asante’s simultaneous involvement with another club.
According to the protest details, Mgarr has presented documentation and witness statements to back their claim, listing individuals who had direct involvement or correspondence related to the player’s dual registration issue. Witnesses such as Rodney Vassallo and others have provided written confirmations that further implicate Santa Lucia FC in the alleged violation.
If the protest is upheld, Santa Lucia FC could face significant penalties, ranging from fines and forfeiture of points to player suspension and further sanctions against club officials. The General Secretary of the Malta Football Association is required to refer cases involving dual registration and falsification of documents to the Control and Disciplinary Board for review and action, as outlined in Article 4.2.2 of the regulations.
This case could have far-reaching implications for Santa Lucia’s standing in the league, as a possible points deduction or forfeiture of matches could impact their overall ranking. Moreover, disciplinary measures could be extended to the player, Emmanuel Asante, if found guilty of violating registration rules.
