The Malta Football Association’s Football Social Responsibility (FSR) Department recently held the Stop the Hate (STH) Convention, with this being an integral part of its inclusive programmes within the UEFA HatTrick programme for 2025/26. The event was held at Centenary Hall in Ta’ Qali on Saturday.
The Stop the Hate campaign was launched earlier in the season, following an agreement between the Malta FA and the Victim Support Agency (VSA). Throughout the season, the campaign also provided visibility to the VSA, with the aim of raising awareness among those in need of support about the services available to them and their rights. The Malta FA and the VSA worked together to increase awareness, educate, and engage the community when it comes to this subject.
This year, a total of 68 clubs will benefit from the Stop the Hate campaign, each receiving €1,000 in recognition for their collaboration with the Malta FA in the campaign. The funds were distributed to each club during the convention.
During the season, all clubs playing within the Malta FA’s organised competitions have used captains’ armbands with the Stop the Hate message on them. Additionally, the Centenary Stadium had perimeter advertising that exclusively promoted the campaign and the 116 006 National Victim Support line.
The Stop the Hate Convention allowed players, coaches, educators, psychosocial professionals and social advocates to come together, providing a platform for the sharing of good practices, as well as creating synergies between football and victim support services.
Minister for Home Affairs, Security and Employment Byron Camilleri introduced the event, before it was then also addressed by Malta FA Senior Vice President Dr Matthew Paris, as well as VSA Chief Executive Officer Brian Farrugia.
“What began as a conversation in an office has grown into the second edition of the Stop the Hate Convention. This is not just a talking shop, but the culmination of season-long initiatives tackling a very real social problem: hate speech,” Dr Paris remarked.
“The Malta FA is once again using its platform to spread a message of positive hope,” he added.
Mr Farrugia emphasised that football is the world’s game and that when hate finds a voice in it, we all lose.
“Hate-related language and gestures, whether on the pitch, in dressing rooms, in the stands, or online, definitely cause pain and long-lasting traumatic effects on individuals and communities,” he remarked. Mr Farrugia added that the collaboration between the VSA and the Malta FA reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that football remains a safe and welcoming environment for all, reinforcing the message that hate speech has no place in the game.
The VSA continues to play a central role in addressing hate speech and hate crime through its preventive campaign and free accessible victim support services that include the provision of information, emotional support, and legal advice amongst others. The 116 006 remains its main port of call for any individual who has been subject to crime and as an agency, the VSA entrusted football clubs to encourage players and parents to seek help and support whenever required.
The VSA and the Malta FA both expressed their appreciation for the shared collaboration and the implementation of this project, which shall result in an improved response to hate incidents, strengthening victim support systems, and promoting education to counter harmful narratives and discrimination across communities.
Darren Lewis, President of the Sports Journalists Association of the United Kingdom addressed the convention. Mr Lewis is a seasoned, award-winning journalist and has been committed to opening pathways and opportunities for journalists for the last 20 years. He has also campaigned relentlessly for more opportunities for diversity when it comes to managers, referees, and officials across English football.
The convention also included a panel discussion that featured Mr Lewis, Valletta FC player Thaylor Aldama, Swieqi United Women player Patricia Araujo and Malta Sports Journalists Vice President Paul Cachia, during which clubs were able to participate in an engaging discussion on hate issues within football, both on and off the pitch.