MFA considering postponing the start of Premier League due to COVID-19

The Malta Football Association is considering the possibility of postponing the start of the BOV Premier League by a couple of weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A number of Premier League clubs saw their pre-season preparations disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic after a number of positive tests emerged in the last few weeks.

The clubs who were damaged most by this pandemic were Birkirkara, Balzan and Tarxien Rainbows.

Birkirkara were forced to halt their pre-season training for the last two weeks after a member of their senior squad tested positive for COVID-19. The Stripes are expected to return to training today with coach Andre Paus expected to conduct double sessions to try help his players recover their fitness.

Balzan FC had three players who tested positive for COVID-19 and were also put into quarantine for two weeks.

On the other hand, Tarxien Rainbows also had a COVID-19 case at the club with all training suspended with all members of the first team going into quarantine.

Both Birkirkara FC and Balzan FC have made it clear that they are unable to field their teams for the opening Premier League programme, scheduled for the weekend of September 11-13 as it would put their players in danger of suffering serious injury.

The Malta FA is expected to discuss the matter during the Executive Committee which is scheduled for today.

It is understood that the MFA EXCO will be discussing two options for the start of the Premier League next month.

The local governing body of football are considering to either let Balzan, Birkirkara and Tarxien skip their opening two fixtures of the championship to provide them with ample time to recover full match-fitness.

Or else there is also the possibility that president Bjorn Vassallo proposes to postpone the start of the Premier League by two weeks.

Sources have told the Times of Malta, that a postponement of the start of the championship by a couple of weeks is likely to be the preferred option and could be made official this afternoon.

Meanwhile, the Malta FA has completed their medical protocol which will be adopted for the start of the National League competitions and has been submitted to the health authorities.

The MFA is now awaiting a response from the health authorities on the matter before kicking off plans to implement it.