MTTA registered player facing sex claims, despite lifetime ban

The Malta Table Tennis Association (MTTA) allowed a man serving a lifetime ban over sexual misconduct to register as a player this season.

The Malta Olympic Committee (MOC) confirmed that in a statement issued on Monday, as fallout between sports authorities and the MTTA intensified.

In its statement, the MOC said it has documentation confirming that the player’s registration was “processed and accepted”, despite the player being ostensibly banned.

“Such action raises serious questions of governance consistency and safeguarding standards. The integrity of sport, and the protection of athletes – particularly minors – must remain paramount,” it said.

The MTTA is currently suspended as a national sports authority following a raft of allegations ranging from financial irregularities to failure to report a former committee member to the police for inappropriate sexual behaviour.

That former committee member was given a lifetime ban from the sport but has appealed that decision. The appeal has been pending for several months, with the MOC accusing the MTTA of delaying that process.

“The MOC has, for several months, formally sought clarification regarding the outcome of the appeal process initiated by the MTTA,” it said in a statement.

“To date, no official communication confirming the status or conclusion of that appeal has been received. The continued absence of a definitive response has only prolonged uncertainty surrounding the Association’s standing.”

While the appeals process was pending, the MTTA is alleged to have moved ahead with the player’s registration to compete in events – despite the lifetime ban.

Last week, the MTTA insisted that the appeals process was delayed by administrative issues and implied its suspension was unjustified and fuelled by ulterior motives.

It claimed that its former president John Sciberras – who was ousted following a no confidence vote last summer – had been nominated there by the MOC.

Times of Malta has seen documentation indicating that the former president was actually nominated by two club officials, not the MOC.

In its statement on Monday, the MOC said that it had not nominated Sciberras or anyone else for an executive post within national table tennis structures.

It also accused the MTTA of having abruptly stopped a high-level youth coaching scheme for table tennis.

The scheme was set up by the MOC and Sport Malta and cost table tennis clubs nothing, it said. 

“This initiative was designed to strengthen athlete development pathways and raise technical standards,” it said.

“The decision by the new MTTA committee to discontinue this programme was taken independently and without consultation, despite the clear developmental benefits it offered to young athletes.”