The Malta Football Association Executive Committee will meet on Thursday afternoon to discuss the composition of the various divisions in the 2021-22 following the premature ending to the past campaign.
Earlier this month, the Malta FA EXCO ruled that the 2020-21 season would be ended prematurely following the government’s decision of not lifting the current restrictions on organised sport.
The authorities’ decision put the MFA EXCO in a very difficult situation as with the Legal Notice that banned all organised sport still in place until May 10, clubs were unable to return to training with a view of resuming the remaining matches of the Premier League at the start of May.
Thus, the local governing body of football had no option but to call off the season and took its decisions on the conclusion of competition, according to the Force Majeure regulations that were implemented last August.
With the Premier League having fulfilled the condition of having 75 per cent of its fixtures played, the title, European places and relegation were assigned according to the final standings.
Leaders Ħamrun Spartans were declared as champions while Hibernians, Gżira United and Birkirkara will compete in the newly formed Europa Conference League.
On the other hand, Żejtun Corinthians, Tarxien Rainbows and Senglea Athletic will be relegated along with Senglea Athletic.
The Challenge League, on the other hand, failed to meet the 75 per cent threshold of fixtures completed and was abandoned with the league title, promotions and relegations not assigned, with the exception of Qormi FC who had already been mathematically condemned to National Amateur League football.
These decisions have left the Premier League facing the prospect of having 12 teams next season while the Challenge will be formed by no less than 22 teams.
During Thursday’s meeting the Executive Committee will discuss possible scenarios for the upcoming season for all league competitions, namely the Premier League, the Challenge League and the National Amateur League.
The MFA EXCO will be discussing also the feedback received by the respective Standing Committees from all divisions on the proposed composition of their championship.
These possibles scenarios will then be put on the agenda of the MFA Council who will decide which one of these propositions will be accepted and thus decide the format of each competition for next season.
During the meeting the MFA EXCO will also discuss the recent decisions on the eight clubs that were awarded a UEFA Licence for this summer’s competitions, namely Balzan, Birkirkara, Sta Lucia, Mosta, Ħamrun Spartans, Gżira United, Hibernians and Valletta.
Another item on Thursday’s meeting agenda is the Malta FA reforms on club governance.
