In a meeting held at Auberge de Castille, the Malta Football Players Association (MFPA) formally presented the Prime Minister its petition; A cry for help : Stop the exploitation of our children in Maltese football.(https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/mfpa.html)

A delegation from the MFPA met up for the first time Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Parliamentary Secretary Chris Agius, a most interesting meeting which led to an earnest exchange of opinions on two issues: the protection of children and citizenship rights to extraordinary talented players.

MFPA - General Secretary, Carlo Mamo, briefed the Prime Minister on the current situation and position of the MFPA.

The Petition which calls for the abolishment of the 'Nursery Compensation Fee' has garnered widespread support and has been endorsed by Children's Commissioner Pauline Miceli. In a statement made, Miceli said that such fees went against the children's right to engage in recreational activities and that it was symptomatic of a mindset that saw children as a means to an end.

The petition has also been endorsed by Swieqi United FC, who have compared the current nursery compensation fee to ''Modern day slavery'' and have called for a complete overhaul of the current system. A sentiment shared by the MFPA.

There is a real need for change as the MFPA receives week in week out complaints made by parents, all in desperate need for a solution for their child.

While the Malta Football Players Association, understands that nurseries need to be financed, it strongly believes that a system which allows for ample room within which children can be used as a commodity or even taken advantage of for financial gain, is a tragically defective system that must urgently be corrected.

The Malta Football Players Association reiterates that a new system needs to be introduced which balances the needs of the clubs to cover its many costs and the rights of the children to enjoy their sport. What we strongly contest is a system which incentivises nurseries to hold on to children at all costs, for the possibility of a quick buck at the complete detriment of the children.

Finally, during the meeting the MFPA delegation received assurances from the Government that the proposed new citizenship provisions will not flood our national side with non-Maltese players. The MFPA seeks to ensure that the Malta national team retains its DNA.