Federbet sues Malta FA regarding “commercial interests” statement

Sports betting integrity watchdog Federbet is suing the Malta Football Association (MFA) on liable charges regarding claims the Maltese governing body made regarding its operations.

The charges relate to MFA public claims made last week by integrity officer Franz Tabone who stated that Federbet concerns regarding widespread match-fixing in Maltese football were completely “baseless and motivated by the organisation’s commercial interests”.

Federbet Secretary General Francesco Baranca is reported to have discussed several Maltese match fixing allegations with Tabone at a Brussels meeting organised by Malta MEP Therese Comodoni Cachia last week.

The watchdog present a data report detailing the level of suspicious betting activity attached to Maltese football leagues.

The organisation further states that it has reported several suspicious matches to the attention of the MFA and Tabone directly, without ever receiving any response or official feedback.

MFA General Secretary Bjorn Vassallo stated to the Times of Malta that the governing body would “not refrain from confronting anyone who makes unfounded allegations regarding Maltese football”