The Aquatic Sports Association of Malta, ASA, has said it is taking a firm stand on sporting integrity following fresh allegations involving water polo players and betting activity, but stressed that it still has not yet received the official report needed to proceed.
In a statement issued on Friday, the ASA referred to recent media reports, including a report by Times of Malta, which said that 13 Maltese water polo players and a coach could face disciplinary action over alleged betting on matches played during the European Championship finals in Belgrade last January. According to Times of Malta, six to seven of those players are understood to form part of the national team, while the coach mentioned is not linked to the Malta national team.
The ASA underlined that it treats any matter concerning the integrity of sport with “the utmost seriousness” and reiterated its “firm and unequivocal zero tolerance policy” towards any breach of integrity, including betting-related misconduct.
The Association also moved to clarify one important point raised in the coverage, noting that, as stated in the same Times of Malta report, the coach referenced in the headline is not a Malta national team coach.
ASA explained that it has formally requested access to the relevant report held by the Malta Gaming Authority, MGA. However, it said that, until recently, there was no established formal legal channel through which such sensitive information could be transmitted. As a result, the Association has initiated the necessary legal processes to obtain the report lawfully.
It added that an appropriate legal framework for the transmission of such information is currently being established through the Office of the ASA Integrity Officer, a step it described as essential to ensure that any exchange of information is carried out in full compliance with legal and regulatory obligations.
Until that report is formally received, ASA said it is not in a position to take disciplinary action, and insisted that it would not be appropriate to prejudge any of the individuals concerned. The Association stressed the need to respect due process and protect the rights of all parties involved.
At the same time, ASA made clear that once the report is received lawfully, and subject to its findings, it will act without delay and take whatever measures are necessary in line with its regulations and applicable international standards.
According to Times of Malta, the Malta Gaming Authority last week provided a detailed report to the police, with the report said to list the names of 14 individuals who allegedly placed bets on matches from the European Championship finals. The same report said that none of the suspects is believed to have bet on Malta matches, but under international sporting rules athletes are generally prohibited from betting on matches within their own sport. Times of Malta also reported that, should European Aquatics find the individuals guilty, they could risk suspensions ranging between two and four years from all competitions.
