The Malta Football Association issued a statement in which it said that the Board to Adjudicate Charges relating to Bribery and Illegal Betting in Football informed the Malta FA General Secretary on Tuesday with the decisions on the investigations against Manwel Xerri, Leonard Camilleri and Qala Saints FC.
The Board declared, strictly on the basis of a balance of probabilities, Mr Xerri and Mr Camilleri guilty of the corrupt act or practice perpetrated by the same Mr Xerri, inter alia in terms of Article 2 and Article 3 of the Regulations, handing them a life-ban.
On the other hand, the Board declared the Qala Saints not guilty of all the charges adduced against the club.
Qala Saints player Manwel Xerri and Zebbuġ Rovers goalkeeper Leonard Camilleri allegedly approached Nadur Youngsters goalkeeper Steve Sultana in an attempt to fix last season’s decisive BOV Gozo Football League First Division game between Nadur Youngsters and Qala Saints.
The game ended in a 1-1 draw with Nadur claiming the title.
“Il-Malta Football Association tażva illi l-Bord għall-Investigazzjoni ta’ Allegazzjonijiet dwar Tixħim fil-Football, it-Tlieta 25 ta’ Frar 2025, bagħat jinforma lis-Segretarju Ġenerali tal-Assoċjazzjoni bid-deċiżjonijiet li ttieħdu mill-istess Bord fir-rigward ta’ proċeduri kontra Manwel Xerri, Qala Saints FC u Leonard Camilleri. Is-Segretarju Ġenerali bgħatet tinforma bid-deċiżjoni lill-partijiet konċernanti u permezz ta’ din l-istqarrija qed tiġi ppublikata l-parti finali tad-deċiżjonijiet.
Fl-ewwel deċiżjoni, fl-ismijiet ‘MFA vs Manwel Xerri u Qala Saints FC’, il-Bord iddeċieda kif ġej: “To declare, strictly on the basis of a balance of probabilities, Mr Xerri guilty of the corrupt act or practice perpetrated by the same Mr Xerri, inter alia in terms of Article 2 and Article 3 of the Regulations; To suspend Mr Xerri for life, in terms of Article 6 (ii) (a) of the Regulations, save what is stated under Article 6(ii)(b); To declare the Club not guilty of all the charges adduced against it.”
Inoltre’ fit-tieni deċiżjoni, fl-ismijiet ‘MFA vs Leonard Camilleri’, il-Bord iddeċieda kif ġej: “To declare, strictly on the basis of a balance of probabilities, Mr Camilleri guilty of the corrupt act or practice, inter alia in terms of Article 2 and Article 3 of the Regulations: To suspend Mr Camilleri for life, in terms of Article 6(ii)(a) of the Regulations, save what is stated under Article 6(ii)(b)”.
Illi a bażi tar-Regolamenti (Section IX Disciplinary Procedures and Sanctions) id-deċiżjonijiet meħuda huma suġġett għal appell.
Il-Malta Football Association tavża illi din l-informazzjoni diġa’ għaddiet lill-Bord Eżekuttiv tal-Assoċjazzjoni u lil Gozo Football Association u li f’dan l-istadju mhux se jsiru aktar kummenti ġaladarba l-każ huwa sub-judice.”