Two footballers get lifetime bans for match-fixing attempt

Two footballers have been given lifetime bans from the sport for match-fixing.

Qala Saints player Manwel Xerri and Żebbuġ Rovers goalkeeper Leonard Camilleri were handed bans by a Malta Football Association tribunal on Tuesday.

Both players are currently facing ongoing criminal charges related to the alleged incident involving the GFA Division One match between Nadur Youngsters and Qala Saints that was played at the Gozo Stadium in March last year.

They are alleged to have tried to bribe Nadur Youngsters goalkeeper Steve Sultana, asking him to let Qala Saints win the game. Sultana reported the bribery attempt and the match ended 1-1, with Nadur Youngsters winning the championship as they finished two points ahead of Qala Saints.

Apart from their ongoing criminal case, Xerri and Camilleri appeared in front of the Malta FA Control, Disciplinary, and Ethics Committee – Integrity Panel.

In a decision on Tuesday, the tribunal ruled that on the balance of probabilities, Xerri and Camilleri were guilty of a corrupt act and breaching articles 2 and 3 of the sport’s regulations. It suspended both for life.

Qala Saints were cleared of charges.

All these rulings are subject to appeal.

The Malta FA said that this information has been passed on to its Executive Committee, the Gozo Football Association and it will make no further comments since the case is sub-judice.Two footballers have been given lifetime bans from the sport for match-fixing.