The Malta FA announced that the Premier League match between Marsaxlokk and Mosta, which was due to be played on Saturday at the Tony Bezzina Stadium, has been pushed back by an hour for safety reasons.
The Southerners and the Blues were due to face each other at the Tony Bezzina Stadium at 5pm, exactly after the much-awaited derby between Malta champions Ħamrun Spartans and Valletta FC.
However, it is understood that given the large crowd that is expected to throng the Tony Bezzina Stadium for the Ħamrun-Valletta match, the MFA decided to move the match for an hour later to ensure the best possible safety precautions for the fans.
“The Malta FA would like to announce the kick off time in MD6 encounter between Mosta and Marsaxlokk this Saturday has been brought back by an hour,” the MFA said in a statement.
“Start of match at the Tony Bezzina Stadium rescheduled to 6pm from 5pm. Only after 5pm fans of both sides will be allowed to make their entrance to the stadium and enjoy the thrill of the 90 minutes ahead.”
Fans of Marsaxlokk and Mosta will not be allowed to enter the stadium during the Ħamrun vs Valletta match to ensure the first match of the day is attended by the followers of the Spartans and the Citizens only, given the smaller attendance capacity of the stadium.
During the past few days, there has been a lot of criticism towards the Malta FA for hosting the Valletta-Ħamrun Spartans derby at the Tony Bezzina Stadium, rather than the National Stadium.
However, it is important to point out that the match could not be held at Ta’ Qali’s main football stadium who started its reseeding process last Monday and is unavailable to host matches.
Meanwhile, the Malta FA also announced that the Tony Bezzina Stadium will open its doors at 1.30pm ahead of the Ħamrun Spartans-Valletta derby and the ring road around the stadium will also be closed for traffic.
“The first match of the day features Valletta and Hamrun Spartans. Both the Malta Police and the Malta FA have collaborated to implement various measures to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all attendees.”
“The kick-off time for this clash is set at 15:00. Ticket booths will open at 13:15 while the entrance gates to the stadium will open at 13:30.
“It is important to note that the road will be temporarily closed starting from the ‘Miżien’ kiosk area onwards towards the stadium. This to ensure the safety and convenience of those attending the match and walking towards and from the stadium.
“These measures are taken with the intention of providing a secure environment for the fans to cheer on their favorite teams without any disruptions.
“Security personnel will be present to maintain order and direct fans accordingly.”
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