Qala Saints FC player Manuel Xerri and Żebbuġ Rovers goalkeeper Leonard Camilleri faced charges of sports corruption in Gozo’s Magistrate Court this week.
Playing history of the accused
On an exclusive basis, we also have the playing history of both players:
Camilleri, Leonard
00/01 Kercem Ajax FC
01/02 Kercem Ajax FC
02/03 Kercem Ajax FC
03/04 Kercem Ajax FC
,, Nadur Youngsters FC
04/05 Kercem Ajax FC
,, Zebbug Rovers FC
05/06 Zebbug Rovers FC
06/07 Kercem Ajax FC
,, Gozo FC
07/08 Kercem Ajax FC
08/09 Kercem Ajax FC
09/10 Kercem Ajax FC
,, Gozo FC
10/11 Kercem Ajax FC
11/12 Kercem Ajax FC
13/14 Kercem Ajax FC
14/15 Kercem Ajax FC
15/16 Oratory Youths FC
16/17 Oratory Youths FC
17/18 SK Victoria Wanderers
,, Sannat Lions FC
18/19 Xewkija Tigers FC
19/20 Xewkija Tigers FC
20/21 Xewkija Tigers FC
21/22 Xaghra United FC
22/23 Nadur Youngsters FC
23/24 Zebbug Rovers FC
Camilleri made 287 appearances mainly in Gozo league and scored 24 goals ( as he was a striker before)
Xerri, Emanuele
07/08 Xewkija Tigers FC
08/09 Xewkija Tigers FC
09/10 Xewkija Tigers FC
10/11 Xewkija Tigers FC
11/12 Xewkija Tigers FC
12/13 Xewkija Tigers FC
13/14 Xewkija Tigers FC
15/16 Xewkija Tigers FC
16/17 Xewkija Tigers FC
17/18 Xewkija Tigers FC
18/19 Xewkija Tigers FC
19/20 Xewkija Tigers FC
20/21 Qala Saints FC
21/22 Qala Saints FC
22/23 Qala Saints FC
23/24 Qala Saints FC
Xerri just passed the 300 apps, 301 to be exact. He represented Malta (with Gozo Region) in the UEFA Regions Cup in 2012 and 2018.
The court case
This follows an investigation into alleged match-fixing in a GFA Division One clash between Nadur Youngsters and Qala Saints. The match, held at Gozo Stadium in March, ended in a 1-1 draw and ultimately saw Nadur Youngsters secure the title, finishing two points ahead of Qala Saints.
The two players stand accused of attempting to bribe Nadur’s goalkeeper, Steve Sultana, to secure a win for Qala Saints. The court heard that Camilleri, once a reserve goalkeeper for Nadur, allegedly contacted Sultana via WhatsApp on 5th March, offering a government job if he allowed Qala Saints to win. Camilleri, 39, allegedly acted under the direction of Qala Saints player Xerri, 31.
According to police testimony, Sultana was offered a government where he wouldn’t have to turn up to work for a year and still get paid.
The alleged approach took place ahead of the teams’ scheduled match on 17th March. Sultana promptly informed his club president, lawyer Chris Said, who eventually notified MFA Integrity Officer Herman Mula. Mula then confirmed the attempted bribe in discussions with Sultana, leading to a police investigation.
Mandatory prison sentence and fine for sports corruption
Both Xerri and Camilleri, residents of Xewkija, pled not guilty to charges under the Prevention of Corruption in Sport Act. This prescribes penalties of up to three years in prison and fines ranging from €5,000 to €30,000, with no provision for suspended sentences.
Manwel Xerri is a well known character in Xewkija and is allegedly close to Qala Saints President and Gozo Minister driver, Noel Mizzi. He owns or has owned several businesses in his hometown including a restaurant which has recently closed down. So far, it remains unclear whether Xerri was acting on someone’s authority to offer the phantom job.
Inspector Wayne Rodney Borg provided testimony on the investigation’s findings, while Lawyer Herman Mula appeared for the MFA. Both players were suspended from the league, and disciplinary action is being pursued against Qala Saints FC who are bizarrely being defended by PN Health Spokesperson Adrian Delia. The case remains ongoing.
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