Infantino to hold development discussions in Malta on June 18

FIFA president Gianni Infantino will be in Malta on Friday after having accepted the Malta FA’s invitation to hold bilateral discussions about the development of Maltese football and Malta’s contribution towards the international community in the future.

“We are very pleased that the FIFA President has accepted our invitation to visit our Association for important discussions as well as to inaugurate the new Malta Museum of Football at the National Stadium,” MFA president Bjorn Vassallo said.

Infantino will also be present during the official inauguration of the new Malta Museum of Football at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali.

“The museum is another important project for our Association as it celebrates the rich history of Maltese football, recognising the feats of the players, coaches, and officials who have left an indelible mark on this amazing journey of a footballing nation stretching back to the 19th century when Malta was a British colony,” Vassallo explained.

“The inauguration of the museum also represents a fitting conclusion to the 120th-anniversary celebrations of the Malta Football Association which have been inevitably impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is also appropriate that the museum is being officially opened by the FIFA President as this project has been fully funded by the FIFA Forward Programme which is inspired by the principle of solidarity as it aims to develop and support football across the globe so that football can reach its potential in every single country.”

This will be Infantino’s second official visit, and the first as FIFA supremo, having been in Malta in 2015 in his former role of UEFA general secretary when the island played as hosts of the UEFA Executive Committee, under the presidency of Michel Platini.

 “Mr. Infantino’s visit is testament to the respect and esteem the Malta FA enjoys in the upper echelons of world football’s governing body and I’m confident that our discussions on Friday will further strengthen this relationship,” Vassallo said.