The Aquatic Sports Association’s (ASA) Arbitration Board Monday morning issued a formal ruling in favour of water polo player Jake Muscat, directing Neptunes WSC to reinstate him as a full member of the senior squad.
The ruling quotes that paragraph H.4, of the decision stated that Muscat was to be “fully eligible,” that the club must call him for training with the senior team, and that he should receive all benefits granted to other registered players. The ruling followed a lengthy arbitration process during which Muscat claimed unfair treatment and exclusion, while Neptunes alleged disciplinary issues. The board also struck down a €3,000 fine imposed by the club.
The following day, on 17 June, Muscat returned to the Neptunes WSC training complex. However, video footage obtained by Maltasport.mt shows the player standing apart from the senior squad throughout the session. He did not take part in any drills, warm-ups, or tactical preparation. In some clips, he is briefly seen interacting with youth players but not the senior team he was formally reinstated to. The footage raised questions about whether Neptunes was genuinely implementing the ruling or simply creating the appearance of compliance.
The saga took a twist on the same evening of June 17 when Neptunes President Matthew Bonello sent an email at 18:43, to ASA president Karl Izzo received an email, reporting new alleged disciplinary concerns. Bonello wrote that “after initial swimming was done, Jake was asked by coach Ciric to carry out a swimming program with his assistant, Sacha Misic, and he flatly refused, because he said ‘he wanted to watch tactics,’ and came out of the water.” Bonello concluded by asking the ASA to take “immediate action.”
Shortly after, another email was sent Beppe Sammut who is part of Neptunes commitee, were he also copied other ASA officials. Sammut, writing supporting Bonello’s claim Neptunes WPSC , supported Bonello’s claims and added further concerns. He stated:
“Jake refused to follow Misic’s instructions and instead remained in the pool to observe tactical drills being conducted with the rest of the senior squad ahead of our key fixture against San Ġiljan tomorrow.”
Sammut alleged that Muscat’s mother was filming parts of the training session from the street and claimed that Jake appeared intent on studying Neptune’s tactics. He wrote:
“Given his stated desire to transfer to San Ġiljan, this raises serious concerns regarding the potential disclosure of confidential team information.”
According to Sammut, coach Ciric was forced to cancel all tactical drills due to these concerns, which he said directly affected preparations for an important match. He described Muscat’s and his mother’s behaviour as a calculated provocation designed to escalate tensions and possibly provoke disciplinary retaliation.
Malta sport is also in possesion of an email sent on 18 June, at 15:29 signed by ASA disciplinary Chairperson Dr. Herman Mula whereas Muscat was banned from attending any further training sessions with Neptunes’ senior team and barred from entering the club’s premises. In the official communication by Dr Mula, the following was stated:
“In view of the official reports of further alleged misbehaviour by the player during a training session with Neptunes WPC, a subsequent provisionary measure by the board was taken that until further notice the player shall not be eligible to be called for training with the senior team of Neptunes WSC and shall be precluded from attending at Neptunes WSC premises.”
When Maltasport.mt reached out to Jake Muscat’s legal team, Dr. Carlos Bugeja expressed serious concern over the ASA’s latest action.
He said the so-called “subsequent measure” issued on 18 June casts significant doubt over the events that followed the initial ruling. “The Arbitration Board has no legal authority to impose such a suspension,” Bugeja stated, adding that the decision was made without a hearing, due process, or allowing Muscat to respond.
He also criticised the ASA for not ensuring its original ruling was upheld. “Jake was isolated, made to train alone, and left out of team activities,” Bugeja said. “Instead of addressing this non-compliance, the board took further action against the player.”
He concluded that unless the matter is urgently clarified, it represents a serious failure in sporting justice. “This undermines the credibility of the entire process. The sport deserves better.”
As of now, the ASA has not issued any public statement on the footage from the 17 June training session, the legality of the 18 June suspension, or the legal concerns raised by Muscat’s representatives. With increasing pressure from the local water polo community and scrutiny from both legal and sporting circles, the case has grown into a wider debate about compliance, enforcement, and the credibility of arbitration in Maltese sport.
maltasport.mt will continue to monitor and report on this developing story.
