MFPA Calls For End To Exploitations of Children Footballers

Jan 24 2024

Football clubs in Malta are accused of “exploiting” and treating children as young as 12 as “financial commodities,” according to the Malta Football Players Association (MFPA). The association raised concerns about clubs tying down young players for extended periods, even if the players are unhappy.

The MFPA cited incidents where parents were asked to pay fees, such as €5,000, for their 16-year-old son to move to another club. In another case, parents of three players aged 16 to 17 were required to pay €1,500 each, on top of annual membership and kit fees.

The MFPA filed a complaint with the children’s commissioner, arguing that the current system, regulated by the Malta Football Association (MFA), breaches the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. According to MFA rules, 12-year-olds commit to a club for three years, and after that period, they must recommit until turning 18 to continue playing.

The decision to release a player lies with the club, making it challenging for children to move to another team without the club’s consent. The MFPA claims that this practice exploits young players and denies them their right to leisure and participation in cultural life freely.

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Around 900,000 Passengers Visited Malta Via Cruise In 2023

Jan 24 2024

In 2023, Malta experienced around 900,000 passenger movements through cruise liners, reflecting a 65% increase compared to the previous year and a substantial improvement over the record-breaking 2019.

The Maltese cruise industry contributed €85 million to the Maltese economy in the past year, with €32 million spent by cruise passengers and an additional €53 million by the cruise lines themselves.

The positive trend is expected to continue in 2024, with projections indicating over 900,000 passenger movements. These details were announced during a press conference by Minister of Tourism and Public Protection Clayton Bartolo and the CEO of Valletta Cruise Port, Stephen Xuereb.

Minister Bartolo emphasized the catalytic role of the cruising industry in boosting air tourism, presenting an opportunity for Malta to become a sought-after destination for future cruise experiences.

He expressed commitment to expanding home porting in Malta, where vessels start and end their journeys in the country, contributing to a longer stay in the future.

Stephen Xuereb highlighted Malta’s central position in the Mediterranean, hosting numerous vessels on itineraries covering the entire Mediterranean region, often extending to regions that continue to strengthen Malta’s reputation as a leading cruise port.

The industry significantly impacts the Maltese Islands economically, including services for ships and passengers, air and airport-related services, and the “cruise and stay” concept, where passengers choose to spend several days in Malta before or after their cruise.

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Extra Show For Jim Cartwright’s ‘TWO’ At Theatre Next Door

Jan 24 2024

FM Theatre productions are delighted to announce an extra show for Jim Cartwright’s TWO, happening at Theatre Next Door. With only a few tickets remaining for the six-show run, a new date has been announced for Thursday 8th February starring veteran actors Edward Mercieca and Pia Zammit.

The comedic two-hander explores the intricacies of human relationships through a series of interconnected monologues set in a working class pub. The multi-faceted play goes well beyond the humorous and delves into the lives of ordinary people, shedding light on the universal experiences of love, loss, and the human condition.

Directed by Chris Gatt, Mercieca and Zammit play the bickering landlord and landlady of the pub as well as 12 other characters that step foot into the establishment over the course of one evening. From an elderly woman sipping on her usual to mismatched couples, a mistress and an attention-seeking boyfriend, these are just some of the colourful characters audiences can look forward to.

Along with an extra show added on Thursday 8th February at 19:00, TWO will be performed at Theatre Next Door, this February, on the 2nd & 3rd at 20:00 and on the 4th at 19:00 followed by another weekend of performances on the 9th & 10th at 20:00 and on the 11th at 19:00

For tickets and more information visit www.tnd.com.mt

This project is supported by Arts Council Malta.

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PN MP Alleges Some Football Clubs Know Results Before Match

Jan 24 2024

Maltese football is tainted by corruption, with predetermined match results and known league winners, according to David Agius, a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Nationalist Party (PN). Speaking during a parliamentary debate on amendments to the Sports Governance and Integrity Act, Agius asserted that individuals involved in corrupt practices in the sports sector are well-known within the small country. While expressing support for the proposed changes to combat sports corruption, Agius emphasized the need for more comprehensive measures.

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Although Agius did not provide evidence or name specific individuals, he claimed that match-fixing occurs in football and other sports, with perpetrators placing substantial bets on the predetermined outcomes. He raised concerns about the lack of action against corruption in sports and suggested that corruption extends beyond national borders, involving bets on fixed outcomes in overseas matches.

While acknowledging the existence of the Malta Football Association’s Anti-Corruption and Transparency Experts Task Force, established in 2015, Agius stressed the necessity for more stringent measures to eradicate corruption from Maltese sports.

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