Glen Tonna is set to formally take over as the new General Secretary of the Malta Football Referees Association (MFRA) during the second Extraordinary General Meeting of the season, set to be held on Monday, the 26th of January.
The leadership transition follows developments that began in October, when Ishmael Barbara vacated the General Secretary role after being elected President of the Association. Since then, the MFRA has been seeking a suitable successor capable of stepping into the position and maintaining organisational continuity.
Tonna’s appointment will be uncontested at the upcoming Extraordinary General Meeting, signalling broad institutional backing for his candidature.
A long-standing figure within Maltese refereeing, Tonna has been active in the sector for 25 years and has been part of the Premier Elite Referees group since 2009. Now 44, his career has combined on-field experience with involvement in refereeing structures. However, his record has not been without controversy. Last year, he publicly criticised rulings by the Malta Football Association Appeals Board on social media, resulting in a three-week suspension.
Tonna’s candidature was promoted by MFRA President Ishmael Barbara, who continues to officiate as a FIFA referee. His appointment is widely viewed as an attempt to restore unity within the Association, following internal divisions that surfaced during last June’s committee elections.
As General Secretary, Tonna is expected to focus on referee development, governance standards, and strengthening cohesion within the refereeing community.
