A good number of players in Malta's Premier Division have not yet been paid any salaries 4 months into the season, with some still waiting for last season's salaries

Rules and regulations mean absolutely nothing if there are no consequences for those who break them. Under MFA’s ‘Financial Fair Play’ rules, one finds a list of prerequisites that clubs must fulfill in order to be licensed to compete in the national league.

One such rule stipulates that by August 16th, Clubs must submit proof that all their employees (including players) have been paid all their dues for the previous season. Players who have in fact been paid, sign a document confirming the payment as proof.

When clubs have NOT paid all their dues, the MFA rules provide them with some leeway. The Club in question can be granted an exception if, and only if, the player (creditor) agrees to give the Club an extension on payment in writing. This is not unusual. Many players generously agree to give clubs an extension on payment (without any right of interest). As long as players give the extension in writing and out of their own free will, this is usually not an issue.

However, it has recently come to our attention that a number of clubs are abusing this system with no apparent repercussions at all. A good number of players from 4 different Premier League clubs have not been paid ANY salaries this season. Moreover, quite a few of them are still owed salaries for last season. Said players have not given the club a written extension for last year’s due salaries. This means that an important licensing condition has not been met. And yet, all of these clubs are currently allowed to compete in the highest division of football in Malta.

MFA’s own rules are blatantly being broken with no consequences whatsoever. Not only is this against players' employment rights, but it is also unjust for the other Clubs who have abided by the rules, with most sacrificing and budgeting on spending in order to comply.

MFPA urges the respective clubs to settle the overdue salaries. On behalf of the players MFPA will start submitting the required complaints with the MFA competent bodies as from next week.

How ironic that ‘Financial Fair Play’ rules are unfairly not applicable to all!

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