Jake Muscat sent home from European Championships for disciplinary reasons

Malta’s build-up to Monday’s crucial clash against France at the European Waterpolo Championships has been hit by the news that Jake Muscat was sent home for disciplinary reasons.

ASA president Karl Izzo confirmed to The Times of Malta a report stating that Muscat was ordered to return home after he was involved in a series of disciplinary incidents in Belgrade.

“It was a decision taken by the national team’s technical staff, who decided that after a series of incidents, it would be better for the player to leave the camp and return home,” Izzo said.

 On Sunday night, national coach Milan Cirovic ordered Jake Muscat to pack his bags and return home, thus ending his involvement with the national team at the European Championship finals.

Muscat’s dismissal from the team has certainly clouded Malta’s build-up to their most important clash in the group phase of the continental finals, as victory against the French would assure the national team of finishing in a historic Top 12 berth in the competition.

The past few months have not been short of controversy for Muscat, who was embroiled in a transfer controversy that saw him trying force a move from Neptunes to San Ġiljan.

That case went before the Aquatic Sports Association and an independent board, which ruled that Neptunes must pay Muscat in full but that he would not be allowed to train or play for the club.

Neptunes later reached an agreement to release Muscat so he could join San Ġiljan permanently.