Danilo Francalanza, 26, a former Mtarfa F.C. footballer, has been awarded a FIFA Futsal Badge, making him the latest Maltese addition to the prestigious FIFA List. Francalanza, who began refereeing in futsal four years ago, becomes the third Maltese FIFA Futsal Referee. He joins Andrea Naudi, an international official since 2022, and Stephen Vella, who earned his FIFA badge in 2021.
Meanwhile, Stefania Bonnici and Luca Formosa have been reconfirmed as FIFA Beach Soccer Referees. Bonnici has held her FIFA badge since 2022, while Formosa joined the international ranks in 2024.
This development marks a significant milestone for Maltese refereeing as the total number of FIFA-listed officials from Malta rises to 18, (including two female officials) one more than last year. The breakdown includes:
- 5 FIFA Football Referees
- 8 FIFA Assistant Referees
- 3 FIFA Futsal Referees
- 2 FIFA Beach Soccer Referees
When MaltaSport.mt reached out to the chairman of the Malta Football Association Referees Committee Alan Mario Sant, he expressed his satisfaction with the addition of an international referee. He further emphasised that “this was part of a strategy which started two years ago when we strategically did not nominate the full possible available slots, as the aim was to increase the numbers with quality and those who are ready for the role.”
This new inclusion highlights the growing recognition of Maltese referees on the international stage, further enhancing Malta’s presence in FIFA’s officiating community.
Danilo Francalanza is the new face together with Mark Ciantar who has been nominated on the FIFA panel at age 27. These appointments highlight the introduction of further young fresh faces on the Maltese FIFA List.
The full list of Maltese FIFA officials for the year 2025 can be found hereunder:
- BARBARA Ishmael (Football Referee)
- DE GABRIELE Matthew (Football Referee)
- FARRUGIA CANN Trustin (Football Referee)
- FARRUGIA Philip (Football Referee)
- VASSALLO Joanna (Football Referee)
- CIANTAR Mark (Football Assistant Referee)
- MUSCAT James (Football Assistant Referee)
- PORTELLI Luke (Football Assistant Referee)
- SCERRI Mitchell (Football Assistant Referee)
- SPENCER Duncan (Football Assistant Referee)
- SPITERI Jurgen (Football Assistant Referee)
- SULTANA Duncan (Football Assistant Referee)
- VELLA Roberto (Football Assistant Referee)
- FRANCALANZA Danilo (FUTSAL Referee)
- NAUDI Andrea (FUTSAL Referee)
- VELLA Stephen (FUTSAL Referee)
- BONNICI Stefania(Beach Soccer Referee)
- FORMOSA Luca (Beach Soccer Referee)
