Floriana FC announced that the club will be appealing against the decision by the Control and Disciplinary Board of the Malta Football Association to fine the club € 3,000, together with a reduction of three points suspended until the end of the season after being found guilty of racial abuse during the BOV Premier League match against Santa Lucia played on August 14 after “some of their fans offended the goalkeeper of Santa Lucia FC by words of a racist nature and / or connotation and this in violation of article 4I (a) (i) and 4 (I) (b) (i) and (ii) of the Disciplinary code of the association. “

The club said that after evaluating the reasoning of the board, the club has already initiated the process to submit an appeal to the decision and is also reserving its right to defend its position in front of relevant international bodies.

Floriana FC said that the club had “immediately condemned and distanced itself from the unacceptable behaviour of one person who purchased online tickets to enter the Floriana stands at the Tony Bezzina Stadium.”

The club noted the statement by Santa Lucia FC which “confirmed that the judgement delivered by the MFA Control and Disciplinary Board sets a precedent for abuses by individuals whose intentions may go beyond the good of the game and ultimately to the detriment of the clubs.”

Meanwhile the Malta Football Association announced that is has informed that the perpetrator in this case has been identified, Police charges have been issued against him and the person will appear in court in the coming days.  

The Malta FA strongly condemns any discriminatory or racist behaviour and will continue to lead the fight against racism and discrimination in the game of football.