MFA boss says match-fixing case is a ‘closed’ chapter

For Malta Football Association President Norman Darmanin Demajo, the match-fixing allegations that surrounded the Euro 2008 qualifier are now "case closed".

Addressing the press at the Centenary Stadium in Ta' Qali, Darmanin Demajo reiterated that there had been "overwhelming evidence" that the match between Norway and Malta in Oslo in 2007 had been fixed.

He insisted that it was impossible for only one person to be involved in a €200,000 gamble

"However, it is now time for us to look ahead. We have always treated this case as an eye-opener. Match-fixing is a clandestine activity organised by criminals - a reality we must also face in Malta," Darmanin Demajo said.

Even though the MFA boss repeated several times that he was convinced that the match had been fixed, even insisting that it was impossible for one player to do it all by himself, he insisted that the MFA will not get involved in the case.

"The match fell under UEFA's jurisdiction and there is nothing that MFA can do. We prepared a dossier and passed it on to UEFA. That was as far as MFA could go," Darmanin Demajo said.

Last Friday, Valletta FC midfielder Kevin Sammut was found guilty by UEFA's disciplinary board, even though the midfielder - colloquially known as 'il-Viper' - pleaded his innocence and plied that he had nothing to do with the match-fixing case for which he was banned for 10 years by UEFA. 

Two other players, Kenneth Scicluna of Valletta FC and Stephen Wellman of Qormi FC were acquitted of charges due to lack of evidence. The two players were facing three-year bans.

One of Sammut's defence team, Michael Sciriha insisted that the player is innocent but said that due to shortcomings in the trial "we could not prove the innocence of Kevin Sammut."

Sciriha said the defence team was prepared to prove the falsity of allegations against Sammut but the Valletta FC and Malta midfielder was not granted a fair trial.

Sciriha shed doubts on the trial by saying that UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Board might have acted in haste and was prejudiced.

Asked to comment on whether he thought Sammut was given a fair hearing, Darmanin Demajo reiterated he couldn't comment because wasn't present.

"However, one must keep in mind that a UEFA hearing is different from a court hearing. In football, unlike the court system, 'comfortable satisfaction' is reason enough for a person to be found guilty.

"Maybe his defence team did not have the necessary experience in how UEFA operates," he said.

Darmanin Demajo said that MFA will not publishing its 600-page dossier prepared by Integrity Officer Franz Tabone. While revisiting the whole process, Darmanin Demajo recalled receiving an anonymous letter in which five Maltese players were listed with regards to the match-fixing allegations. When asked whether the list included Kevin Sammut, Kenneth Scicluna and Stephen Wellman, Darmanin Demajo wouldn't comment.

"The letter was anonymous and I passed it on immediately to the police. I don't even remember the names," he added after members of the press pressured him for more information.

Expressing his disillusionment at what happened, integrity officer Franz Tabone said this had been the worst year of his life. Tabone had been assigned the role of interviewing players and other individuals and prepare the MFA dossier.

Tabone insisted that the case mirrored a loss of respect towards football and that he himself has lost his love for football.

Two other players, Kenneth Scicluna of Valletta FC and Stephen Wellman of Qormi FC were acquitted of charges due to lack of evidence. The two players were facing three-year bans.

Legal representatives of the two players were present for today's press conference, however were stopped from asking questions by MFA officials who insisted that the press conference was only open to journalists.

Croat Marijo Cvrtak, a convicted member of a notorious Croatian betting syndicate, had identified the Euro 2008 qualifier between Malta and Norway as one of the rigged matches. The match had ended with Malta being beaten by Norway 4-0 in Oslo. Norway had scored three goals in the last 18 minutes and while Wellman and Scicluna had played the full 90 minutes, Sammut had been substituted at half time.

The MFA had also carried out a three-month inquiry, during which more than 30 persons were interviewed. The investigation was detailed in a 600-page dossier that has been passed on to UEFA in March.