The Executive Committee of the Malta Football Association met via videoconference on Friday 9th April 2021 to discuss the latest developments in the COVID 19 situation and its impact on the 2020/21 domestic competitions.

The Executive Committee reiterated the Association’s immense disappointment at the extension of the nationwide ban on organised sports events as announced by the Government and the Public Health Authorities this week.

In their analysis of the repercussions caused by the prolonged ban on the sporting activity, the Executive Committee took into consideration the following factors:

• The period of sporting inactivity since the enforced suspension of all  domestic competitions on 10th March 2021, as decreed by Legal Notice 93 of 2021, and the subsequent extension of such restriction;
• The lack of direction from the Authorities as to when the ban on contact sport training and sports events will be lifted;
• The position already expressed by the Executive Committee that should the  above-mentioned Legal Notice be extended beyond the 12th April, the  Association would have no alternative but to terminate domestic competitions;
• The timeframes established by UEFA, especially the June 1 deadline, for the submission of the names of the Maltese clubs competing in the 2021/22 UEFA  Club Competitions.

Having considered all of the above, the Association’s Executive Committee concluded that the eventual resumption of the 2020/21 domestic competitions is not possible in the current circumstances and decided to terminate all competitions, invoking Article 8 of Section VII of the Association’s Rules Governing  Competitions. This Article was introduced last year to address force majeure circumstances in light of the unprecedented scenarios and complexities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Article 8 (i) of Section VII of the Competition Rules states that “where, in extraordinary circumstances, any of the National league competitions is terminated prematurely due to the impossibility of its natural completion for reasons beyond the control of any party, the classification following the last match played shall be deemed final, provided that all clubs have one-fourth or less of the competition yet to play”.

In addition, Article 8 (iii) stipulates that “other than with respect to a club(s) that,  at the moment of termination as provided above, would have already mathematically won the competition or have been mathematically promoted or relegated, where the respective competitions have not yet reached the stage as provided in sub-article (i), they shall be declared abandoned and no champion shall be declared. Furthermore, in such case, there shall be no promotions and/or relegations”.

In accordance with these regulations, the outcomes of the 2020/21 domestic  competitions are as follows:

BOV PREMIER LEAGUE 

All clubs have played 76.67 percent of their matches, meaning that the 75%  requirement (one-fourth or fewer matches remain to be played) has been met.  Hence, the classification after the last matchday (23) is declared final and to stand.

Ħamrun Spartans FC has been declared champions as they occupy first place in the BOV Premier League classification while Hibernians FC, Gżira United FC, and Birkirkara FC – the clubs positioned second to fourth – would be the clubs qualifying for the 2021/22 UEFA club competitions.

The participation of the aforementioned four clubs in next season’s UEFA club competitions is subject to the granting of a club license and in accordance with the rules, regulations, directives, and guidelines issued by UEFA.

The four clubs who occupied the last four positions in the classification – Żejtun  Corinthians, Tarxien Rainbows, Lija Athletic and Senglea Athletic – will be relegated (Senglea Athletic were already mathematically relegated).

BOV CHALLENGE LEAGUE 

In the BOV Challenge League, not all 15 teams have reached the threshold of 75 percent matches played and as a result, this championship is to be considered abandoned.

In accordance with the regulations, Qormi FC will play in the National Amateur  League next season as they were already mathematically relegated at the point of abandonment of the Challenge League.

Furthermore, as a result of such abandonment the Relegation/Promotion Play-Off between the 12th place in the Premier Division and the 3rd place in the  Challenge League cannot and will not be played.

BOV NATIONAL AMATEUR LEAGUE 

The BOV National Amateur League was completed before the COVID-19 ban on sports events came into effect.

Luqa St Andrew’s FC won the championship with the other promoted teams being  Melita FC, Mġarr United FC, and Rabat Ajax FC.

BOV WOMEN’S LEAGUE 

In the BOV Women’s League, not all seven teams have reached the threshold of 75 percent matches played and as a result, this championship is to be considered abandoned.

The Executive Committee decided that on the basis of sporting merit, as required by UEFA regulations, Birkirkara FC is to be nominated to participate in the UEFA  Women’s Champions League 2021/22.

CUPS AND OTHER COMPETITIONS 

The following championships have been declared abandoned as the ‘one-fourth or-less remaining matches’ criteria has not been met: National Youth League; Women Under 19; Girls Under-15 and Futsal Under-16.

The FA Trophy, National Amateur Cup, National Amateur Super Cup, and all other Knock-Out competitions have been declared abandoned