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Joseph Muscat sole candidate for football post

Former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat is set to be appointed chairman of the Malta Professional Football Clubs Association as he is the sole candidate for the post.

The association issued a statement Saturday to also say that it has no intention of appointing a full-time chief executive officer.

Earlier in the day, former MP Jean Claude Micallef said he was prepared to challenge Muscat for the post.

Jean Claude Micallef announced his move on Facebook, and in what seems to be a swipe at his former boss, Micallef said that he cannot allow he reputation of Malta’s clubs to be tarnished.

“I took this step today because I can never allow the reputation of Maltese clubs to be sullied,” Micallef wrote on Facebook.

“This association is set up for individuals to serve it and improve it and not any other way. I have heard you and reacted with respect towards the footballing family that I am proud to form part of,” Micallef added.

The Malta Professional Football Clubs Association is an organisation made up of the presidents of Malta’s top-flight football clubs. It was set up in 2021 with the aim of eventually running the Premier League. Its current chairman is Robert Micallef, president of Santa Lucia FC.

It is understood that Muscat’s plan was not welcomed by all the clubs, as his candidacy brought political baggage to the sport, while leading to risks that the reputation could be damaged.

Muscat resigned from Prime Minister in January 2020 after his office was linked to the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia in 2017.

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2022-06-26T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-06-26T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://maltaindependent.pressreader.com/article/281621014018495

Malta Independent