The Malta Football Association Executive Board have ruled against the possibility of reopening the transfer window so that Premier League clubs would be able to sign overseas players who were plying their trade in Ukraine and Russia.
The MFA top brass met yesterday to discuss the issue following talks on the matter by the Malta Professional Football Clubs Association.
The MPFC had discussed two proposals, namely the possibility of signing one overseas player each and the other said that only teams that had a slot for overseas players after the January transfer window could be given permission to sign a foreign player.
However, after a two-hour meeting, the MFA Executive Board, decided against allowing such registrations, particularly given that the 2021-22 season arrived in the final part with only five matches left to the end of the BOV Premier League.
“The Malta FA Executive Board met today to discuss the applicability of FIFA Circular No 1787 dated 9th March on the implementation of Annexe 7 of the Registration on the status and transfer of players (RSTP),” the Malta FA said in a statement.
“Through the Circular, FIFA made it possible for player contracts with an international dimension registered with the Ukrainian FA or the Russian FA to be suspended until June 2022 due to the instability created with the conflict in the region.
“Since the domestic season in Malta is in its final stages with only 5 matches remaining in the top tier competition, the Executive Board has decided not to allow such registrations.
“Prior to the Executive Board meeting, the Malta FA had already discussed the issue with FIFA itself to confirm that the applicability of the measure was within its discretion.”
Earlier this month, FIFA announced that Ukrainian football players can be registered outside of a transfer window following an amendment to the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP).
FIFA said the amendment is temporary and is aimed at providing aid to Ukrainian clubs and players who have been affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The FIFA statement added that clubs will be allowed to register a maximum of two professional players under this amendment.
