The work carried out by the Malta Football Players Association (MFPA) during the 2025-26 season and the key initiatives and projects planned for the coming year were discussed during the Association’s Annual General Meeting, held over the weekend of 13-14 June at the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Golden Sands.

MFPA General Secretary Carlo Mamo presented a detailed overview of the Association’s work throughout the season, highlighting a number of significant achievements, including the conclusion of discussions with the Malta Football Association to renew the Memorandum of Understanding covering women’s national team players, another successful edition of the MFPA Awards, which remains the Association’s flagship annual event, and the planned implementation of pre-season medical screening for all players in the Challenge League and Women’s League.

The introduction of a structured pre-season medical screening programme represents a significant step forward in the collaborative efforts of the MFPA and the Malta Football Association to enhance medical screening standards and safeguard the health and wellbeing of players. 

“Last season, the MFPA successfully completed a pilot project aimed at improving access to pre-season medical screening for footballers, involving a group of former players who underwent medical testing at our offices,” Mamo said.

“While footballers in Malta are already required to undergo an annual medical examination, this pilot project had two main objectives: to facilitate access to pre-season screening and to ensure the accurate interpretation of examinations such as ECGs, which are essential in identifying potential risks and safeguarding player health.

“This initiative represented an important first step. With the support of the MFA, the MFPA will now be offering pre-season medical screening to all Challenge League and Women’s League players ahead of the 2026-27 season, with the first session scheduled for 27 June at the National Stadium.”

The MFPA Annual Report for the 2025-26 season and the Audited Accounts (Financial Report) for the year ending December 2025 were unanimously approved by the AGM.

CO-OPTION OF TWO FEMALE MEMBERS TO MFPA EXCO

The AGM approved amendments to the Association’s Statute governing the composition of the Player Councils, aimed at strengthening player representation and encouraging greater participation from members. The changes provide for broader representation within each division and separate the former Premier League and Challenge League Council into two distinct bodies.

The MFPA will now have three dedicated Player Councils: the Premier League Player Council, the Challenge League Player Council and the Women’s Player Council. Each council will consist of a minimum of six active players representing their respective divisions and will be appointed for a one-season term. The councils will meet at least twice per year to discuss matters affecting players and to provide feedback on issues relevant to their respective competitions.

The amendments also allow for the establishment of additional Player Councils for other divisions should the need arise in the future, ensuring that the MFPA continues to enhance player engagement and representation across all levels of the game. 

The AGM also ratified the co-option of Josie Cassar and Eleanor Saliba to the MFPA Executive Committee until the next AGM in 2027.

Cassar has been appointed as an Independent Member of the Executive Committee. She brings extensive experience in the IT industry, having previously served as a football player, coach and administrator. In her independent role, she will provide objective oversight, professional expertise and constructive challenge to support effective decision-making and help ensure that the Association continues to act in the best interests of its members and the organisation as a whole.

Saliba joins the Executive Committee as an Executive Member and will play a leading role in advancing the MFPA’s work in women’s football, with a particular focus on player welfare, representation and development. A qualified engineer and sports journalist, she is widely recognised for her commitment to the promotion of women’s football. 

Their appointments reflect the Association’s ongoing commitment to promoting diversity, strengthening governance, and broadening the range of expertise and perspectives within the Executive Committee. Together, they bring valuable professional, sporting and leadership experience that will further support the MFPA’s work on behalf of players.

The appointments follow recent changes to the composition of the Executive Committee. The MFPA also expressed its appreciation to Dr Sihon Gauci Gonzalez and Daniel Agius for their dedicated service and valuable contribution over the past years.

MFPA PRESIDENT ENCOURAGES GREATER INVOLVEMENT FROM ACTIVE PLAYERS

MFPA President Dr Anthony Galea underlined the importance of attracting young and active players to take on prominent roles within the Association, describing this as essential for the MFPA’s long-term relevance and sustainability.

“We have already come a long way since the MFPA was established in 2011,” Dr Galea told the assembly.
“We have reached this point thanks to the collective efforts of our team. Football is a team sport, and seeing so many of our members present today fills us with renewed enthusiasm and motivation.

“At the Executive Committee meeting held earlier today, we discussed plans to further expand the Player Councils because we want to involve more players in the work of the Association. This is our vision for the future.

“My appeal to players is to continue participating, particularly at Player Council level. We need your input, your ideas and your constructive criticism because this is what the MFPA stands for. I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks to the entire MFPA team, our officials, Player Council members and everyone working behind the scenes for their outstanding contribution throughout the year.”

EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS

This year’s AGM adopted a slightly different format, spanning two days and providing participants with the opportunity to socialise outside the formal proceedings while also attending educational and awareness sessions on a range of topics, including Integrity and Anti-Doping, Financial Literacy, and Mental Skills and Performance.

Trustin Farrugia Cann and Jonathan Barbara represented the Malta Football Association and the Authority for Integrity in Maltese Sport respectively during the AGM.