Malta FA Launches ‘Stop The Hate’ Campaign Against Abuse

Nov 28 2024

The Malta FA has launched the Stop the Hate campaign as part of UEFA’s Football Social Responsibility (FSR) HatTrick programme for 2023/2024, funded by UEFA. The initiative aims to eliminate online, verbal, and physical abuse from football, promoting a more respectful and inclusive game.

This campaign is a collaboration between the Malta FA and IZIBET Amateur League clubs, representing half of Maltese football. Through this initiative, the Malta FA seeks to advance football’s role in fostering social responsibility. “The Stop the Hate campaign will feature FSR sessions in clubs, engaging players, staff, administrators, supporters, and the community on various social inclusion issues,” explained Peter Busuttil from the Malta FA FSR team.

Malta FA Vice-President Matthew Paris emphasised the campaign’s importance: “Initiatives like this form the heart of the Malta FA’s strategy to leverage football for social impact and help clubs reach their full potential. The Malta FA has consistently led social responsibility efforts in sports.”

Since the 2024/25 season, all team captains in the league have been wearing Stop the Hate armbands, which will remain throughout the season. The Malta FA is also working closely with clubs to develop Football Social Responsibility and Sustainability strategies. In early 2025, a one-day convention titled Stop the Hate: Football and Social Well-Being will bring together clubs and local and international stakeholders.

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Saltburn’s Barry Keoghan To Play Ringo Starr In Beatles Film

Nov 28 2024

Barry Keoghan is set to play Ringo Starr in an upcoming Beatles film directed by Sam Mendes, marking a significant new chapter in his career.

After months of speculation, Starr himself confirmed Keoghan’s casting, sharing with Entertainment Tonight that the actor is already taking drum lessons.

The project is also rumoured to feature Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, and Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, though these roles have yet to be officially announced.

Sam Mendes is confirmed as the director for what is envisioned as a series of four interconnected films, each focusing on a different Beatle. While details about the screenwriter and production schedule remain unclear, Mendes is reportedly directing all four films.

This project is particularly notable as it marks the first time The Beatles, alongside Apple Corps Ltd. and the families of Lennon and Harrison, have granted full rights to their life stories and music for a scripted film.

The films promise a fresh perspective on the legendary band, offering deeper insights into the lives of its iconic members. With such an ambitious vision and stellar cast, the project is generating excitement among Beatles fans and cinephiles alike.

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Over 75 Cannabis Related Cases Prosecuted In Malta

Nov 28 2024

During a recent Parliamentary Questions session, Byron Camilleri, Malta’s Minister for Home Affairs, Security, Reforms, and Equality, revealed that 79 cannabis-related cases have been prosecuted since the legalization of recreational cannabis in 2021.

The topic was raised by Nationalist MP Ivan Bartolo, who asked the Minister how many people had been prosecuted for smoking cannabis in public or in the presence of children.

Bartolo also inquired about arrests made for possessing more than four cannabis plants at home for personal use, particularly if children were living in the household, as well as arrests for having more than 50 grams of cannabis for personal use, and whether minors were present in these cases.

Camilleri responded by stating that 39 people had been prosecuted for smoking cannabis in public, while only one person was prosecuted for smoking in the presence of children.

The Minister also reported that 30 individuals were arrested for having over four cannabis plants at home for personal use, with three cases involving children living in the household.

Additionally, nine people were arrested for possessing more than 50 grams of cannabis at home for personal use, with two of those individuals having minors in their homes.

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’Toxic Invader’ Silver Cheeked Toadfish Caught In Maltese Waters

Nov 28 2024

Taking to social media, marine biologist Alan Deidun shared photos of a ‘spreading toxic invader’ – the silver cheeked toadfish.

The fish were caught in Maltese waters by citizen scientist Theoclisto Vella and explained that the species was first recorded within Maltese waters in 2015.

It is reportedly responsible for a number of deaths each year ‘courtesy of the potent TTX toxin it holds throughout its tissue.’

It is a species native to the Indo-Pacific region and even cooking them is lethal!

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