Hamrun Spartans president Joseph Portelli stepped down from his role in a bid to register as a player for the club.
Portelli had already registered as a player for Hamrun in January 2021 in a bid to make an appearance for the club during that season. However the season was cut short due to COVID. Then, last April, he registered for Nadur Youngsters in order to make an appearance for his former club and indeed played in the final Gozo Football League First Division final match against Kercem Ajax, scoring a penalty.
According to MFA regulations, a club president cannot register as a player.
Meanwhile the Malta Football Association issued a statement on Thursday evening.
The Malta FA has taken note of media reports regarding the resignation of Mr Joseph Portelli from his role as President of Ħamrun Spartans FC.
The Association has indeed received such resignation, mindful that this may be related to a possible request from the club to register the same person as a player. In that case, the Association may elect not to accept such resignation. Rather, it would be referred to the competent bodies in compliance with its Reputational Risk Management Policy – a document that is public and which is endorsed by its Executive Board.
It seems to be a drastic move, creating a great deal of chaos/confusion and why would he be needed as a player at this stage? I can’t help but wonder: Is there any logic to such a decision? What could be the advantage or even the goal?