Identity Malta outreach service a ‘game changer’ for clubs
Malta FA President Norman Darmanin Demajo has described the outreach service offered by Identity Malta to facilitate the application process for a single permit for non-EU footballers as a “game changer”.
Launched in January last year, this service sees Identity Malta staff visit the Malta FA offices once a week during the two transfer windows (January and August) to handle work-permit applications.
This initiative has made this erstwhile time-consuming process for local clubs and players a lot quicker and more efficient.
Last Wednesday, Julia Farrugia Portelli, the Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms, Citizenship and Simplification of Administrative Processes, and Dr Clifton Grima, the Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Sport and Voluntary Organisations, met Identity Malta and Malta FA staff during a visit to the Association’s offices at the National Stadium.
“The service being provided by Identity Malta at the MFA offices has led to a situation where we virtually have a one-stop shop when it comes to the application for work permits for non-EU players,” Darmanin Demajo said.
“We appreciate the fact that the government understood the urgency of football clubs to register new players during the January and August transfer windows. This service was a game changer and we are now looking to further enhance it.”
Government support
The Malta FA President conveyed the Association’s appreciation for the government’s support and initiatives towards sports and local football, including the introduction of a reduced tax rate for sports athletes, the legislation on the commercialisation of sports facilities and the Citizenship by Merit Act.
Farrugia Portelli, the Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms, Citizenship and Simplification of Administrative Processes, said: “This service is being provided from the MFA premises as the government recognised the specific needs of the clubs during the transfer windows. Thanks to this initiative, we are improving the efficiency without affecting the due diligence process.”
The number of work permit applications went up from 8,700 in 2016 to 14,200 in 2017, a rise of 62 per cent, Farrugia Portelli said.
Dr Grima, the Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Sport and Voluntary Organisations, said: “Although footballers have the same rights as other workers, the reality is that due to FIFA regulations, the registration of these persons with the Malta FA has to be complete within the stipulated timeframe.
“This created the need for a concerted effort between government entities and the Malta FA to avoid delays in the process to issue work and residence permits. This collaboration, particularly thanks to the presence of an Identity Malta stand in the Malta FA offices, has eased the burden on the club administrators while Identity Malta are able to expedite the application process.”