Malta Sport is in possession of a circular sent to member clubs by the Malta FA’s Junior Competitions Administration that outlines a pilot project to introduce Club Assistant Referees in the U14 Development League. Each club is being asked to nominate three individuals who will attend a short course in December and, subject to accreditation and a recent Police Conduct Certificate, begin assisting from January 2026. The league will meanwhile kick off with a single referee, as was the case last season, a continuation that raises questions about capacity and planning across youth fixtures.
The Association frames the scheme as a collaboration and education initiative. Yet the timing and the design point in a different direction. Over the weekend, in an interview about Football video support withTimes of Malta journalist Valhmor Camilleri, refereeing chairman Alan Mario Sant said the officiating pool has risen to around 160. According to the official list of match officials in the possession of Malta Sport, more than 20 new names appear across categories for the 2025 to 2026 season, many of them at trainee level. If numbers are up, why are clubs being asked to fill assistant roles for youth matches rather than the association deploying its own officials through a properly scheduled grid that reflects true demand across the weekend calendar?
The reliance on club-nominated assistants introduces a worrying dynamic for neutrality and integrity. Even with basic instruction, a club-appointed assistant cannot be seen as fully independent, particularly when emotions run high in development football. As one senior match official told Malta Sport, “You can train club people to wave a flag, but you cannot train away their loyalties. When an assistant is tied to a club, even loosely, the perception of neutrality is gone. That perception is everything in refereeing.” A youth head coach added, “We tell our players that the referee team is neutral and beyond influence. If assistants are drawn from the same clubs that the game is not fair, parents and players will think every tight call is influenced. You do not build respect for officials by asking clubs to supply them.”
A long-serving referee observer called it “a governance problem masquerading as innovation,” arguing that independence is the backbone of officiating and that once the line is blurred, the season becomes a cycle of complaints and appeals. Club administrators are uneasy with the risk transfer. One Under fourteen administrator said, “We are being asked to nominate three people, secure police conduct documents, send them on a short course, and then carry the reputational risk if something goes wrong. If the association says referee numbers are up, why are we filling the gaps”
Practical concerns mirror the principle. A senior grassroots coordinator noted that last season, many youth fixtures were handled by a single referee and that this year’s club assistants feel like a band-aid rather than reform. “If numbers have truly improved, fix the fixture grid and deploy officials where they are needed.” A former elite referee involved in mentoring warned that such a model sends the wrong message to young players, because every offside and foul near the benches risks becoming a flashpoint when assistants are linked to clubs. Parents’ groups have raised similar red flags, arguing that youth football should be the safest space for neutral officiating and that if the association cannot staff these matches properly it should admit the shortfall and fix the pipeline rather than outsource integrity to the clubs.
To date, the MFA has not provided clarity on the content or duration of the December course, on the assessment standard, or on the safeguards that will govern conflicts of interest and assignments when club assistants are involved in matches that affect their own competitions. Nor has it explained why, despite the claimed rise in headcount, so many youth fixtures remain understaffed. Until these gaps are addressed, the pilot looks less like innovation and more like a reluctant admission that the current system cannot meet its own demands. As one senior official summed up, “Calling this a pilot is generous. It looks like a stop gap born of scheduling pressure and stretched resources, and it shifts the burden for credibility from the association to the clubs. That is the opposite of what a governing body is meant to do.”
MFA’s Clarification through Refereeing Chairman Alan Mario Sant:
While we fully respect differing opinions on the matter, it is important to clarify the reasoning and objectives behind this initiative.
The introduction of a club assistant referee is not meant to replace qualified officials or diminish the role of referees.
While the number of registered match officials has increased, it still remains a challenge to cover all grassroots matches with three officials. The introduction of Club Assistant Referees is therefore a practical measure to ensure that the youngest age-group competitions (U/14 & U13) can still benefit from having three officials present on the field. This approach helps maintain match quality, promotes learning and respect for officiating, and allows the game to continue developing at all levels.
Club Assistant Referees will serve within clearly defined parameters under the direct authority of the match referee. Their role is limited to assisting with specific decisions, such as when the ball leaves the field of play and offside decisions. This preserves the integrity and impartiality of the game.
This initiative presents an opportunity for education and development. By involving club representatives, we can raise awareness of the challenges faced by referees, enhance understanding of the Laws of the Game, and foster greater respect for match officials.
Nominated Club Assistant Referees will have clear guidance and training and work within a specific protocol to ensure that everyone involved is adequately prepared and understands their responsibilities. It’s also worth noting that similar systems have been used effectively in various countries and competitions, demonstrating that with proper guidance and oversight, club assistant referees can add value without compromising impartiality.
We also wish to emphasise the importance of cooperation and open dialogue. Constructive feedback from clubs, officials, and the media is essential in refining the system and addressing concerns. We are fully committed to working together with all stakeholders to find practical, sustainable solutions that support the growth and integrity of our competitions.
