Neptunes WPSC seeking to revoke new homegrown rules in Civil Court

Hearing scheduled for Tuesday

The complaint is set to be heard by the Civil Court on Tuesday, and Neptunes are filing their complaint as, according to the new regulations, they will be unable to field the Malta international as a Maltese player

According to the ASA regulations, each water polo club can have only one foreign player in the water during their competitions.

The new ASA regulations approved in February state that those players who participated in any ASA-recognised local junior competitions for a minimum of three seasons between the ages of 12 and 20 shall be defined as a homegrown player.

Added to that, any player who prior to this new regulation, participated for a minimum of three full competitive seasons, may continue to be registered and fielded as a home-grown player.

Since Nagaev would not fall under the homegrown status, he will become ineligible to play as a Maltese player, forcing Neptunes to field him as a foreign player.

In their complaint, Neptunes contend that Nagaev is a professional water polo player who has played with clubs in Malta and abroad. Given his significant contribution to the sport, he was naturalised as a Maltese citizen on Merit last December.

“The Maltese citizenship was given to Nagaev on request by the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta,” Neptunes are contending.

“After he was given Maltese citizenship, Nagaev represented Malta at the European Championships that were played at the start of the year in Belgrade and has also been requested to represent the national team in the World Cup Group B that will be held during April. This is because he is registered as a Maltese player with the governing bodies, European Aquatics and World Aquatics.”

Neptunes are arguing that the eligibility regulation of Maltese players was already there when Nagaev was handed Maltese Citizenship and does not impose any restrictions on Maltese players.

“Added to that, any changes to the eligibility of players must be approved during the Annual General Meeting,” Neptunes added.

Neptunes said that as part of its investment in the sport, it has committed Nagaev to play in both the summer and winter leagues, and the contract is conditioned by the fact that Nagaev must keep his Maltese citizenship so that he would be allowed to play as a homegrown player in the League.

The Balluta Bay club are also contending that the new regulations, which were proposed by San Ġiljan and backed by all the top clubs, are creating a new category that lies between homegrown and non-homegrown players, added to that it limits the number of non-homegrown players in the water to one.

Through this injunction order, Neptunes are seeking that these amendments be revoked, as well as damages they may have suffered by these regulations.

Dr Arthur Azzopardi and Dr Ramona Attard will be representing Neptunes during the sitting, which is scheduled for Tuesday.