UPDATED: Swedish fracas, Malta Youth FA distances itself from 'unlicensed' team

The Malta Youth FA has distanced itself from the local under 15 team whose players were involved in a fight on the pitch during a tournament in Sweden.

10 July 2010, 12:00am
by Karl Stagno-Navarra

2 min read

In a statement, the Malta Youth FA said: "In the light of the reports both in the local and international media about the deplorable incidents during a youth football match at the Storsjocupen tournament, in Östersund, Sweden, the Youth FA categorically distances itself from this team.

"While deploring and condemning the incident, the Youth FA and Malta FA confirm that the team in question is not licenced by the same associations and no permit was requested or issued by either the Youth FA or the Malta FA for their participation in the said tournament."

A 14 year-old boy from Mosta has been questioned by the Police in Sweden, while his team mates have all been expelled from an international youth football tournament in Ostersund.

The boy reportedly performed a karate-kick on the referee towards the end of a game where the Maltese team was losing 1-0 against Norwegian side Verdal SL.

The Maltese team from ‘Ilves Football School’ of Mosta had three players sent off during the game, with witnesses suggesting that the mood before the game was already tense.

According to sources, some of the boys were spitting and shouting abuse at the referee over his decisions on the pitch.

Towards the end of the game, the referee was apparently knocked to the ground while a free-for-all fight broke out that lasted for half an hour.

Five police cars and 10 officers were called to the scene, while young players from all over the world who were participating in the tournament looked on in sheer disbelief.

The Maltese side appeared to be ‘uncontrollable’ and the Police intervened to stop the brawl.

The incident has made headline news in Scandinavia with Swedish, Danish and Norwegian broadcasters reporting the incident.

The Maltese team has been expelled from the competition, that is known to have a participation of 345 teams from 10 countries, including Brazil and Argentina.

Over the years, a number of Maltese teams had participated in the tournament which is known to be Sweden's oldest youth cup.