MFA Chief Executive Officer Bjorn Vassallo replaces Joe Gauci as General Secretary after the latter stepped down from his role. The decision was taken during a meeting of the Council of the Malta Football Association on Wednesday.

Addressing the Council, MFA President Norman Darmanin Demajo said that on his appointment as president four years ago, one of his main objectives was to set-up a better administrative platform. After focussing on other projects over the last three years, he said he felt it was now the right time for certain changes within the association. Darmanin Demajo said he met Joe Gauci earlier this week and the two agreed on this and the latter agreed to step down with immediate effect. The MFA president stressed that Gauci’s expertise was still of importance for the association and he will be taking other roles within the association.

Darmanin Demajo said that he was proposing CEO Bjorn Vassallo as the new general secretary and that to keep in line with the MFA Statute, the role of MFA Chief Executive officer will be abolished.

Vassallo was appointed MFA General Secretary by acclamation by the Council.

Gauci, who is a former Zurrieq FC committee member and MFA Council Member, had been serving as MFA General Secretary since 2000 when he had replaced Joe Sacco. He had joined the association in 1993.

Bjorn Vassallo, on the other hand, was appointed MFA CEO in 2010 after serving as MFA Council Member representing San Gwann and as MFA Executive Committee Member.

The new General Secretary has expressed his satisfaction at being approved in his new post where he can continue giving his expert services in the best interest of the association’s member clubs and member associations it represents. This will surely motivate him to work harder.

While thanking Joe Gauci for the many years of invaluable service he has rendered the association, the MFA Council augurs Bjorn Vassallo many years of useful work from which football in our country can prosper.