The Malta Football Referees’ Association issued a statement in which in condemned an assault on a match official which took place in the referees’ dressing room at the Charles Abela Stadium on Monday after the Youth League match between Gzira United and Kirkop United.

The statement says that this unprovoked assault took place inside the dressing room and the referee was beaten several times and the individual who attacked him had to be restrained by the two assistant referees. The referee was then taken to the Health Centre and a report was filed at the Police Station.

The Malta Football Referees’ Association said it will be assisting the referee in taking all necessary measures so that the case will be investigated by the Malta Football Association and Police so that the individual responsible for this cowardly act is taken to justice.

Meanwhile in another statement, Gzira United FC strongly deplored the incident and disassociated themselves from the same incident.

The club expressed their solidarity with the referee and stressed that the club always respect the match officials’ decisions even when they may not agree with their decisions.