Victoria Hotspurs call on MFA to put Amateur League application back on the agenda

Says the club have every right to participate in the national league of its own country

Gozitan club Victoria Hotspurs has appealed to the Malta FA to put their application to compete in next season’s Amateur League on the agenda of the upcoming governing body’s General Assembly or will proceed to take legal action to safeguard their interests.

Victoria Hotspurs said in a statement they have submitted their application to the Malta FA last September but after five months passed since their submission, the Malta FA Executive Board has not yet put this request on the agenda of the General Assembly for its final decision.

The Malta FA will hold its next General Assembly on March 15 during which the local governing body of football will hold elections for a new president and the three vice-president seats.

Victoria Hotspurs said that without any basis, the MFA Executive Board had asked the Gozitan club to withdraw its membership with the Gozo FA before the application could then go to a vote of the Assembly.

“Victoria Hotspurs FC has already informed that it cannot accept such a condition of the MFA since nothing in the MFA statute points to that direction and that the GFA has no standing or competence on the club’s application to become an MFA member – even if the applicant club hails from the island of Gozo itself,” the Gozitan club said in a statement.

“Victoria Hotspurs FC’s position was, and remains, that it is the club’s fundamental right to participate in the national league of its own country without the involvement of the GFA and without any conditions that are not applied to other Maltese clubs.

“Any position by the MFA, on the contrary, is interpreted by Victoria Hotspurs F.C. as arbitrary and discriminatory behaviour towards the club. Victoria Hotspurs FC is prepared to safeguard its fundamental rights at international forums such as UEFA and the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) and will not hesitate to resort to them if need be.

“For such purpose, Victoria Hotspurs F.C. is represented by a well-known and leading law firm specialised in international sports law.”

Victoria Hotspurs FC said that over the past months, the club kept this issue with the MFA strictly confidential out of respect towards the nature and sensitivity of the subject.

“However, incorrect information stated during the last GFA Council meeting, the club is of the opinion that matters should come to the attention of the general public – especially considering that the GFA may take a potential arbitrary and drastic decision against Victoria Hotspurs FC which will be without any basis and which will leave the club with no other option but to seek legal and financial repercussions against the GFA,” the club said.

“Finally, Victoria Hotspurs F.C. re-emphasize its right to participate in the national league of its own country and to apply to become a member of the MFA from the next football season.

“With all due respect, the Club continues to appeal to the MFA so that its application is placed on the agenda of the General Assembly without further delays and conditions that will trigger an escalation to international fora.

“Victoria Hotspurs F.C. remain open to any dialogue with MFA and that common sense prevails without compromising the letter and spirit of the same MFA’s regulations.”