Malta FA President Bjorn Vassallo informed the General Assembly of the Malta FA of a decision of the Ethics and Compliance Committee that was taken late on Tuesday and communicated to him on Wednesday regarding the decision of the Criminal Court in relation to Jurgen Pisani in relation to facts that occurred in the Premier League match between Santa Lucia and Birkirkara on the date of 3 May 2024 and which was played at the Centenary Stadium.

Pisani was charged under the Prevention of Corruption in Sport Act in his capacity as an athlete. The first charge was that of being involved in the manipulation of a sporting event, while the second charge relates to the fact that he failed to report the fact of the crime to the Commissioner of Police within 14 days.

Based on the guilty verdict given and without prejudice to Mr Pisani’s right of appeal, the case was referred to the Ethics and Compliance Committee of the Association.

In view of the charges in question and with consideration of Section 18, Reputational Risk Management Policy, following the recommendation of the Ethics and Compliance Committee even if the decision of the Criminal Court is not res judicata, the conviction gives rise to damage to the reputation of a level that the Association cannot reasonably ignore and therefore after consultation with the President and vice-presidents of the Association on the basis of the Statute of the Association Section 1 Article 38 (9), the player was temporarily suspended pending the outcome of the final decision in the proceedings before the Courts.

Therefore, the suspension is of a precautionary nature from all football activity until we have a final outcome. This is not a disciplinary measure, but is being taken with the aim of protecting the integrity of football and the reputation of the Association and as I have already indicated it will remain under review.