Only a few days after the Malta Football Association (MFA) introduced long-awaited reforms aimed at protecting minors in football transfers, disturbing evidence suggests that abusive practices within Malta’s youth football sector persist. A message circulating on social media in recent days has reignited concerns, showing that despite regulatory changes, the toxic culture many believed had been tackled continues to fester.
The message, written by a coach whose name has previously appeared in investigations carried out by journalists and was never mentioned, threatens to block the transfers of registered girls who allegedly attended trials with another club without informing their current one. “We won’t be releasing any girls that did this act… this disrespect needs to end,” the message reads, setting a hostile tone that contradicts the very reforms recently put in place to safeguard young athletes’ rights.
This latest incident, first brought to light by MaltaSport.mt and covered by several local journalists, comes just months after an in-depth investigation exposed systematic abuse in youth football. The investigation revealed how parents were often forced to pay exorbitant fees to release their children from club registrations, while some coaches resorted to psychological pressure, emotional manipulation and intimidation to keep players from moving freely. The MFA, under mounting pressure, responded with new rules that promised to protect minors, end unofficial compensation demands and align local practices with those of FIFA and FIFPro. Yet enforcement remains unclear, and the latest scandal suggests that certain individuals within the system continue to act with impunity.
The coach behind the message is no stranger to controversy. Multiple sources have identified him in previous cases involving aggressive conduct, including abusive text messages to parents and alleged retaliation against players expressing interest in joining another club. More recently, a concerned parent contacted MaltaSport to report a troubling incident in which two women were seen photographing children during training without consent, sparking renewed questions about safeguarding and transparency in football academies.
The pattern is unmistakable. Behind the polished branding and positive announcements lies a sector still tainted by power struggles, coercion and outdated practices. The coach in question justifies his stance by claiming his club has “always been understanding and flexible,” yet his threats to block transfers contradict any claims of goodwill. According to MFA guidelines, players under 18 cannot be bound by club registration without parental consent and attending a trial elsewhere is not in itself a violation. Still, the lack of consistent oversight and the absence of a safe reporting structure leave most parents and players vulnerable to pressure and potential backlash.
Many within Maltese football continue to work ethically, providing young players with the support and mentorship they deserve. These coaches, administrators and volunteers are the backbone of the game. But a toxic minority is undermining their work and placing children in emotionally damaging environments. To the best of MaltaSport’s knowledge, no action is currently being taken by authorities. The MFA, the Malta Football Players Association, the Child Protection Unit and particularly the Youth FA, have long remained passive despite growing calls for reform, must address this reality with urgency and conviction. The silence is no longer defensible.
Rules are meaningless if they are not enforced. Safeguards fail if they are ignored. For the children and families who believed that change had come, this latest case is a sobering reminder that much remains to be done. If football is to be a space of growth, safety and fair opportunity, then the system must protect its youngest participants from those who abuse their authority. The next generation of athletes deserves better, and it is time for Malta’s institutions to prove they are listening.
