Majority of Premier League clubs insist on immediate termination of football season

Following the letter by Valletta FC, Birkirkara FC and Gzira United FC to the Prime Minister pleading for the resumption of the 2019/20 football season, it was the turn of the Premier League Standing Committee to write to Parliamentary Secretary for Youths, Sports and Voluntary Organisations Dr Clifton Grima asking him for an immediate termination of the football season. 

The letter, signed by PLSC Mario Debono, stated that on May 4, the committee had already put forward a request to the Malta Football Association to terminate the Premier League with immediate effect as clubs could no longer wait for a final decision from health authorities as to whether the league can resume or not; the government’s voluntary repatriation scheme for foreign nationals was due to expire on May 10 and due to the current situation which was putting more pressure on the already precarious financial situation faced by clubs.

Ten clubs had voted in favour, Floriana had abstained while Birkirkara, Gzira United and Valletta had voted against.

In the letter to the Parliamentary Secretary, the Premier League Standing Committee pleas for the termination of the current Premier League campaign both due to health issues and to the financial situation. 

The PDSC stated that clubs were concerned on the health and well-being of the players, technical staff and officials present, both at the stadiums and training grounds.

The PDSC added that it was still unclear how the medical protocol prepared by the Malta FA Medical Commission will be financed and that this might put the clubs in a more precarious financial situation. The delay in deciding the way forward is already creating financial burdens particularity to accommodate and pay foreign players who cannot return home.