Hibernians awarded win after Lija Athletic walk-over, move top in women’s league

Hibernians women’s team have reclaimed first place in the championship after being awarded a 3-0 win following Lija Athletic’s walk-over.

The Paolites, trailing leaders Swieqi United by just one point before this match, were due to face Lija on Friday night.

Led by coach Kenneth Costantino, Hibs now move first on 33 points with Swieqi second on 31, Mġarr United third on 30 points and Birkirkara sitting fourth on 29 and with a game in hand.

All these four teams will now move into the Top Four commitments, with the upcoming batch of fixtures set to be released this Saturday.

Lija, who will be playing in the Bottom Four section, decided to forfeit the match due to a ‘significant number of injuries with the squad’.

“In light of the current circumstances and with the health and well-being of our players as the top priority, the club has made the decision to forfeit tonight’s match. A significant number of injuries within the squad have impacted our ability to field a team safely and competitively,” Lija said in a statement.

“We deeply regret this outcome but believe it is the most responsible course of action to safeguard our players. We appreciate the understanding of our supporters and the opposing team during this challenging period.”

Meanwhile, Hibernians expressed their concerns over the implications of such scenarios through an official statement on their social media.

“A walkover does not reflect the competitive spirit that is essential for the growth and development of women’s football. The lack of commitment to the fixtures not only affects the teams involved but also the overall standard of the sport. It is important that we continue to prioritize professionalism, preparation, and the passion for the game in every aspect,” the club said.

“We remain focused on our journey, striving for excellence both on and off the pitch. We look forward to the challenges ahead and we will continue to work tirelessly to achieve our goals as a team.”