Court of Arbitration of Sport dismisses Swieqi protest ahead of final matchday

The Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) has dismissed Swieqi United's protest regarding a BOV Challenge League match which took place on the 13th of September 2025.

On the day after the match, Melita put forward a protest before the Malta FA Protests Board, alleging that Swieqi's registration of Souza Barros Ferreira Felipe had been carried out in breach of Article 9A (a) of the Association’s Competition Rules. According to Melita, such irregular registration rendered the player a “non bona fide” player within the rules, and by doing so, Swieqi allegedly violated Article 9 of the Competition Rules. Melita requested the Malta FA Protests Board to declare the match forfeited by their opponents, thus awarding the three points to Melita.

The Protests Board upheld Melita's protest on the 26th of September 2025, rewarding the three points to Melita, despite the fact that Swieqi walked away victorious on the day.

On 26th September 2025, the Protests Board rendered its decision to uphold Melita’s protest, and to order the result of the match to read 3-0 to Melita.

Swieqi proceeded to file a Statement of Appeal with CAS against the decision on 15th October 2025 in accordance with Articles R47 and R48 of the CAS Code of Sports-related Arbitration.

After an arbitration process, the CAS dismissed the case on the 14th of April 2026, leaving everything uncertain at the top of the table ahead of the final matchday. Swieqi face Fgura United, with Birzebbuga and Balzan also in the race for promotion and the league title, in a matchday which will surely provide the thrill and drama which has characterised such an exciting football season.

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Photo source: Malta Football Association