Joseph Muscat says MPL cannot make any pledges without knowing the amount allocated by UEFA to Maltese clubs
The Challenge League Standing Committee has issued a statement to show their disappointment after the Malta Premier League is taking its time before making a decision on whether to allocate UEFA solidarity funds for the 2025-26 season to clubs in the second-tier of Maltese football.
In a statement, the standing committee said that they feel let down by the MPL, which refused to maintain the same stance taken last season, when the MPL clubs gave 12.5 per cent of the €2.5 million grant allocated by UEFA to Malta Premier League clubs to the Challenge League teams.
In response, MPL chairman Joseph Muscat made it clear that the UEFA Solidarity funds are destined for Premier League clubs, who have the option of passing a small percentage of the funds to clubs in a lower division.
Dr Muscat made it clear that the MPL clubs could not accept the Challenge League clubs’ request, as they have yet to be informed of the amount of money to be allocated to them by UEFA, and thus a decision is yet to be made.
In its statement, the Challenge League Standing Committee described the MPL’s decision as surprising given the good relationship built with the MPL over the past months.
“The Challenge League Standing Committee is disappointed that the Malta Premier League has not accepted the request made by clubs in the second tier of Maltese football to receive solidarity funds for the 2025/2026 season – funds that clubs could access following a decision by Premier League clubs themselves,” the Challenge League Standing Committee said in a statement.
“Over recent months, a relationship of dialogue was built between the Standing Committee and the MPL, specifically between the central leadership of both parties. There was a sense of collaboration that we genuinely believed could have led to a different conclusion.
“The discussions were centred on what is needed to continue improving football in our country, always in line with the existing rules of the MFA. We are therefore surprised that the MPL, specifically the majority of Premier League teams, did not agree to allocate a small percentage of funds coming from solidarity payments from others through the Champions League competition, to share it among a number of clubs for use in youth development.
“This practice had always been followed up until the recently concluded season, during which, for the first time, the fund was managed by the MPL.”
The Challenge League said that today it has developed a solid economic structure that has grown significantly over recent years.
“It is a semi-professional league that is providing a lot of space to local players and coaches with important potential,” it said.
“Both the Standing Committee and the MPL have always agreed that there is no longer room for amateurism at the higher levels of football in Malta. Therefore, if there are significant funds available to the MPL (around €2,500,000) coming from UEFA – and the MPL is aware that it has a duty to pass on a small percentage to Challenge League clubs – we had expected this gesture of solidarity to be maintained, just as it was in the previous season, thanks to the same MPL.
“The MFA is already doing its part to support the running of the league, with clubs also making major sacrifices. So, this decision by the Premier League clubs not to share these funds goes against the principle of solidarity – a principle from which they themselves also benefit.”
The Challenge League said it felt the sporting public should be informed of this decision taken by the Premier League clubs, as it will have a negative impact on Challenge League clubs.
“We are convinced that the constructive dialogue initiated between the parties will continue, with the hope that the MPL will contribute from other available funds, in a spirit of mutual unity between the semi-professional leagues in Malta,” it said.
“The Challenge League Standing Committee remains available and looks forward to further meetings, including accepting the invitation of the MFA president, who has encouraged the parties to come together around the table to find solutions through the collaboration of all, as one footballing family in our country.”
In his reaction, MPL chairman Joseph Muscat made it clear that the MPL is still discussing on whether it will pass a part of the Solidarity Funds to clubs in a lower division, but at the moment it’s still too early for Premier League clubs to take a decision.
“The UEFA rules state clearly that the Solidarity funds are aimed for clubs in the top division of every country, in our case, the Malta Premier,” Dr Muscat said.
“Following a decision taken through a majority vote, these clubs can decide to allocate not more than 15 per cent of the fund to clubs in a lower category.
“Last season, the MPL gave 12.5 per cent of these funds, the highest percentage from all championships in Europe.
“At present, the amount of Solidarity Funds for the 2025-26 season has yet to be determined by UEFA. The MPL is still discussing if and how it will be distributing these funds according to the UEFA regulations.”
Dr Muscat said that the Challenge League Standing Committee tried to impose on the MPL to make a decision on whether it would pass on the funds before the start of the season.
“The Standing Committee of the Challenge League unilaterally imposed on the MPL that the decision should be made before the start of the season, and for more than one year, even before the MPL is informed of the amounts it will be receiving from UEFA.
“Last season, the decision to allocate the funds to the Challenge League clubs was taken after the MPL was informed of the amount of money it would receive from UEFA.
“This is not acceptable for the MPL, which cannot make decisions when still in the dark about how much funding it will be allocated, after requests that were made by the Youth FA so that other divisions also receive financial assistance, and especially when there are other factors that are still be considered, such as the introducation of the Football Video Review in the Malta Premier, and if MFA will continue to contribute to the Homegrown Fund.
“In the coming weeks, the MPL will study the best use of these funds that are currently being used for their true objective and nothing else,” Dr Muscat concluded.
