Peter Busuttil bemoans ‘solo’ attack in MFA election

Malta's Film Commissioner Peter Busuttil issued a thank you note after obtaining seven votes from a possible 140 in his attempt to become one of the Malta Football Association's three vice-presidents.

"For me this was my first "attack" into football administration; it was a solo run and with no one to pass the ball to, and I lost."

This morning, Norman Darmanin Demajo was re-elected as Malta Football Association president for the next three years after seeing off Peter Fenech's challenge in today's election.

Before today's election, it was unknown whether Busuttil, who is already busy at Malta's film commission where he leads the effort at attracting film industry business to the islands, was backing Darmanin Demajo or Fenech.

In his short statement, Busuttil attributed his dismal result to the fact that he supported neither of the two in their battle to win the presidency.

"I always knew this would be an uphill struggle... I always knew that this was the first offensive play... there are 2 halves, 2 legs, more to play for... in time," Busuttil said.

He added that he would go back to the drawing board and I pledged his support to Maltese football.

In today's general meeting six candidates contested the three MFA vice-president posts with outgoing vice-presidents, Carmelo Bartolo, Alex Manfrè and Ludovigo Micallef, facing the challenge of three other contenders, namely Chris Bonett, Peter Busuttil and Donald Spiteri.

Chris Bonnett (101 votes), Alex Manfre (86) and Ludovico Micallef (75) were elected while Carmelo Bartolo came fourth after obtaining 59 votes.

"Whilst wholeheartedly congratulating the winners, especially Norman and his team, I must stress that I am utterly disappointed that Carmelo Bartolo was not re-elected (as vice-president).

He also congratulated Chris Bonnett on his victory and urged fellow losing contender Donald Spiteri "to thrive on and not give up: his place is in football. We have lost a game, there will be more to play."