The Malta Football Association rejected a request by First Division side Birzebbuga St. Peter’s to change the name of the senior squad to Brera Birzebbuga St. Peter’s.

Speaking during a meeting of the Council of the Malta Football Association, MFA President Norman Darmanin Demajo said that a change in the name of a club should only be allowed in particular circumstances.

“The name of a club is not for sale,” said Darmanin Demajo.

The MFA president argued that names of foreign towns or cities or even sponsors should not be added to the name of clubs, mentioning the recent case of Hull City where The FA rejected a request by the club owner to change the name to Hull Tigers.

He said that as clubs are heading towards limited liability companies, the name of a company should not necessarily be the name of the club but the official name of the club should be in the company’s object clause.

Speaking on behalf of Birzebbuga St. Peter’s, Dr Angelo Chetcuti said that the club did not take this issue lightly. He said this was not a sponsor but a twin agreement with an Italian club. Dr Chetcuti said that the club had agreed to change the name of the first team in a three-year agreement and this was approved by club members in an Extraordinary General Meeting.