VAR to be introduced in Malta

Aug 9 2021

UEFA have confirmed that VAR will be used in the next batch of World Cup qualifying matches, including Malta’s matches against Cyprus, Slovenia and Russia. This will be the first time that VAR will be used in Malta as it is still not allowed in the domestic leagues and tournaments.

The decision to install VAR at the World Cup qualifying matches was supposed to happen earlier, but due to Covid-19 issues they delayed it to the matches in September. MFA president Bjorn Vassallo told the Times of Malta newsroom that the technology and resources to install VAR at the National stadium will be covered by UEFA. Bjorn also confirmed that VAR will not be used in domestic competitions as they still do not have the necessary resources and technology for it but he did confirm that Maltese referees are being trained by FIFA and UEFA how to operate the VAR software.

This is a huge step in the future of Maltese football. Hopefully more and more local referees will learn how to operate VAR!

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Dr Anton Grech in charge of new Corradino Correctional Facility evaluation board

Aug 9 2021

Following news of an attempted suicide by a prison inmate which caused social media uproar, Psychiatrist Dr Anton Grech was set up as chairman of a board which will evaluate the internal procedures at Corradino Correctional Facility. Grech will be joined by medical doctor Dr George Grech and academic Dr Janice Formosa.

The latter offered her resignation from the Board of Governors of the Corradino Correctional Facility at Kordin in order to, according to the Ministry for Home Affairs, National Security and Law Enforcement, serve on this board. All this is being done in the light of the reforms which have taken place over the last few months in which the Agency for Correctional Services has doubled the number of professionals who create a programme for each prisoner.

Minister for Home Affairs, National Security and Law Enforcement Byron Camilleri is set to receive proposals based on the following concerns within 60 days:

Scrutiny of procedures followed by the Agency with regard to assessing the mental and physical health of each inmate as they are admitted to the facility.
Scrutiny of procedures followed by the Agency which concern the mental and physical well-being of the prisoners whilst serving their sentence
Scrutiny of Agency’s procedures when prisoners are release from Mount Carmel Hospital and returned to Corradino
Scrutiny of all procedures, policies and regulations when it comes to rehabilitation of prisoners and;
Scrutiny of the measures of suicide prevention

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Photo Source: Wikipedia, Anton Grech FB

56 COVID-19 cases registered with 121 recoveries

54 COVID-19 cases registered with 57 recoveries

Aug 9 2021

Malta has registered 56 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours from 2,615 swab tests, while 121 patients have recovered. 2 deaths were registered in the past 24 hours. This information was announced by the official Facebook page of Malta’s Ministry for Health.

As of Sunday 9th August 2021, 774,907 vaccine doses were administered of which 404,461 were 1st doses. 396,160 people are currently fully vaccinated.

To date, Malta has registered 34,902 COVID-19 cases in total, of which: 33,200 have recovered, 428 died and 878 are still active.

Mater Dei Hospital is currently treating a total of 38 COVID-19 positive patients, five of whom are in the ITU. The average age of yesterday’s cases was 33.

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Italy’s year of dominance continues with Olympic gold in 4x100m

Aug 9 2021

Last Friday, Italy continued their year of dominance by winning gold at the 4x100m relay race. The Italians won the race over the British by only one hundredth of a second. This is the second time the Italians beat the British in a final after the Azzuri beat them over penalties in the Euros 2020 final. The Italian relay team was made up of Lorenzo Patta, Eseosa Desalu, Filippo Tortu and 100m gold medallist Marcell Jacobs.

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A post shared by Italia Team (@italiateam)

The team recorded a time of 37.50 seconds, breaking the national record. The silver and bronze podium finishes were filled up by Great Britain and Canada. Jamaica, who were one of the favourites, disappointed by coming in 5th behind China in 4th. This gold win, marked Italy’s 5th gold in track and field, making this Olympics Italy’s most decorated in track and field.

Star runner Marcell Jacobs also stated “I would never expect this before leaving, nobody would have expected that. Thank you Italy,” and that “This is the year of Italy, this is our year. We won the Eurovision, we won the football European championships, we won five gold medals (in athletics).”

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