The Malta Football Players Association is once again compelled to bring to light another serious case currently being handled by our legal team.

A local club has terminated a player’s contract mid-season, leaving him unemployed, owed thousands of euros in unpaid salaries and facing severe financial difficulties.

Upon investigation, it transpired that a ‘release document’ appeared to have been signed by the said player. This would have changed things, since a signature would have meant the player agreed to the termination, but the player was sure he had not signed it.

MFPA engaged the services of a forensic expert to examine the signature. The forensic expert concluded that the player had in fact not signed the document himself.

During the Complaints Board hearing, the club offered no explanation whatsoever about this. Since the club had terminated “unilaterally and without just cause”, it was ordered to pay all outstanding wages and compensation equivalent to the remaining salaries on the contract.

Since the case has now been referred to the Control and Disciplinary Board to take further necessary disciplinary action against the club, the MFPA will await the outcome of this process before commenting further.