On October 24, 2024, a tense disciplinary hearing unfolded, centered around the accusations leveled by an eighteen-year-old water polo player, Dean Bugeja, against the Neptunes Waterpolo and Swimming Club (WPSC).
The hearing was attended by key figures in the sports community, including Commissioner Dr. Herman Mula, ASA General Secretary Mr. George Farruġia, and Chairperson of the Safeguarding Commission, Dr. Patricia Bonello. Representing Dean were his lawyer, Dr. Anthony Galea, and his mother, Ms. Mary Rose Bugeja. The Neptunes WPSC was represented by President Matthew Bonello and Team Manager Rainer Scerri, legally advised by Dr. Adrian Delia.
Dean had been with Neptunes WPSC for three years, and in 2020, he signed a five-year contract that was set to expire in September 2025. However, things took a turn in the summer of 2023 when the club proposed a new four-year contract. Feeling the timing was premature, Dean hesitated, which led to escalating tensions. At the end of the 2024 season, when the club approached him again with a similar contract proposal, Dean expressed a desire to wait until the end of his current contract.
In Dean Bugeja’s words, the response from the Team Manager was swift and harsh. In an act of anger, he ordered Dean to train with the under-sixteen team, effectively isolating him from his peers. Not only was Dean barred from training with the senior team, but he also lost access to vital communications regarding training schedules, which were shared in player chats. This punitive action, Dean argued, constituted bullying and harassment, threatening not just his current position but also his future in competitive water polo.
Dean’s situation was exacerbated by the fact that he had recently represented his country at the U19 European Championships. The forced demotion to train with younger players, he claimed, was not only humiliating but detrimental to his athletic development and mental health. As he navigated this crisis, he began seeking psychological help, struggling with the implications of his treatment by the club.
During the hearing, Dean and his legal team presented evidence that suggested his contract had been fraudulently modified to extend its term. They pointed out discrepancies between the documents submitted to the ASA and the contract that had been altered to appear as if it extended to 2026 instead of ending in 2025. The implications of this were significant; if true, it would mean the club had acted unethically, undermining Dean’s rights as a player.
Dr. Adrian Delia, representing the club, raised multiple preliminary pleas questioning the legitimacy of the proceedings. He argued that the complaint did not fall under the competence of the Discipline Board and claimed the player’s request was improperly initiated. However, Commissioner Mula ruled against these pleas, affirming that the allegations of harassment warranted a disciplinary examination.
After hours of deliberation and testimonies, the Commissioner ultimately cleared Neptunes WPSC of the disciplinary charges. However, he reinforced the interim decision made on October 12, 2024, mandating that Dean be allowed to train with the senior team and enjoy the same benefits as his teammates. This decision aimed to rectify the isolation Dean had faced, even as the club was acquitted of wrongdoing.
