Police investigating allegations of possible match manipulation in Mosta-Naxxar clash

The police have opened an investigation into allegations of possible match manipulation concerning the Malta Premier League clash between Mosta FC and Naxxar Lions played on February 4.

Naxxar Lions won the match, widely referred to as the ‘Derby of the North’, by a 5-0 scoreline, a result that strengthened the club’s prospects of retaining its place in Malta’s top football division.

The police told Times of Malta that an investigation is underway following the receipt of a report related to the match.

The police did not provide further details, citing the ongoing nature of the inquiry.

Sources said investigators are probing allegations that Mosta FC players were approached before the match.

The alleged approaches are understood to involve an individual described by sources as a football intermediary involved in bringing foreign players to Maltese clubs.

Sources indicate that players were offered “inducements” intended to influence the outcome of the match. 

It is understood that following the match, officials from Mosta FC held internal discussions with several players who played in the match.

During these discussions, it emerged that players had been contacted before the match and allegedly presented with a proposal related to the match outcome.

Sources close to the club said the players concerned showed messages to club officials they claimed to have received in connection with the alleged approach.

The information was then passed to the police, which initiated an investigation into the matter.

The Authority for Integrity in Maltese Sports did not comment on the case or whether it had transmitted any report to the police, citing the sensitive nature of integrity matters and ongoing investigative processes.

This is the first match-fixing case being investigated by the authorities in this season’s Malta Premier League.

Last year, a major case hit Gozitan football after Qala Saints player Manwel Xerri and Żebbuġ Rovers goalkeeper Leonard Camilleri were handed lifetime bans by a Malta Football Association tribunal.

The two players were found guilty of trying to bribe Nadur Youngsters goalkeeper Steve Sultana during a GFA Division One clash.