Hamrun Spartans president resigns to be registered as player

Malta FA statement confirms resignation

Hamrun Spartans president Joseph Portelli has resigned the role to make himself eligible to play for the same club, Replay (Net Television) reports.

The resignation has been handed in to the Hamrun Spar‐ tans Committee and the Malta Football Association.

Malta’s football rules dictate that it is not possible for a presi‐ dent to be registered as a player.

With this in mind, Portelli, 42, has resigned to make himself available to be selected to play for Hamrun.

Last April, Portelli had played for Nadur Youngsters in a 1‐1 draw against Kercem Ajax.

Portelli is a well‐known devel‐ oper whose projects have cre‐ ated environmental controversies in the past years.

Portelli’s companies, apart from sponsoring Hamrun, are also sponsors of Nadur Young‐ sters, where Portelli’s son serves as president, Qala Saints and, in waterpolo, San Giljan ASC.

Malta FA reaction

Meanwhile the Malta FA con‐ firmed in a statement that it had received Joseph Portelli’s resig‐ nation but said it might not ac‐ cept such resignation if Portelli requests to be registered as a player.

Full Malta FA statement below. “The Malta FA has taken note of media reports regarding the res‐ ignation of Mr Joseph Portelli from his role as President of Ħamrun Spartans FC.

The Association has indeed re‐ ceived such resignation, mindful that this may be related to a pos‐ sible request from the club to register the same person as a player. In that case, the Associa‐ tion may elect not to accept such resignation.

Rather, it would be referred to the competent bodies in compli‐ ance with its Reputational Risk Management Policy – a document that is public and which is en‐ dorsed by its Executive Board.”