Floriana F.C. have announced that, with immediate effect, its players, officials and technical staff will no longer be giving comments to the media or participating in television, radio or other media appearances until further notice.
In an official statement issued on social media, the club explained that the decision was taken following what it described as “a number of past experiences” in which Floriana found itself involved in discussions unrelated to football. The club stated that the measure was introduced to safeguard its integrity and maintain focus on sporting matters.
Under the leadership of club president Johann Said, Floriana stressed that it remains committed to its sporting objectives both on and off the pitch and thanked supporters and the general public for their understanding and cooperation.
However, the decision has already sparked significant reaction across the local football community and media landscape. A number of football supporters, commentators and sports journalists have criticised the move, describing it as a lack of respect toward the media outlets that have covered and promoted the club throughout the season. Critics argue that media access and communication form an important part of the relationship between clubs, supporters and the wider football public.
Several observers also pointed out that the announcement comes after what had largely been a full season of cooperation between Floriana and members of the sports media. For many journalists, it is disappointing to see the club effectively shut out media interaction after months of regular collaboration, interviews and match coverage.
The decision is expected to remain a topic of debate in Maltese football circles in the coming days, particularly regarding the balance between protecting a club’s image and maintaining openness with the sporting media and supporters.
Maltasport shows full solidarity with all other sports media outlets that have been affected by this decision of Floriana FC.
