In another saga at Neptunes, the Aquatic Sports Association has ordered the water polo club to reinstate a player, namely Dean Bugeja to its first-team squad. This occurred after severe allegations against Neptunes ASC Team Manager Ranier Scerri of bullying and harassment.
The ASA Disciplinary Board however found both Scerri and Neptunes ASC not guilty of harassment under Article 38 (Harassment and Abuse) of the ASA statute as well as any other charges. The club and team manager were thus cleared of all accusations against them.
Incidentally, Neptunes and Ranier Scerri were defended by Dr Adrian Delia, the PN Shadow Minister for Health. Delia is taking a very active line in sports, defending several accused persons such as in the Qala Saints corruption case
Background to the case
Dean Bugeja, the talented player for Neptunes WPSC, has found himself in the midst of a contractual standoff that has stirred waves in the club. Bugeja maintains that in 2020, he inked a five-year deal with Neptunes WPSC, set to run through September 2025. However, this past summer, he was approached by the club’s management to commit to a fresh four-year contract, one he ultimately declined, feeling it was premature to extend his tenure.
The issue resurfaced at the conclusion of the 2024 season, with club officials again urging him to replace his existing contract with another four-year extension. Bugeja, still under the belief that his current contract should run its course, opted to wait. Sources close to the team report that his hesitation to re-sign led to a tense exchange with the team manager, Ranier Scerri who allegedly reacted with frustration and made a decision that could significantly impact Bugeja’s future with the club.
Troubling turn of events
In a troubling turn of events, 18-year-old Dean Bugeja claims he has been effectively sidelined by Neptunes WPSC management amid a dispute over his contract. According to Bugeja, after refusing to sign an early contract extension, he was directed to train with a younger group of under-16 players and barred from training alongside his age group and the club’s first team. He alleges that, unless he agrees to the new terms, he has been told he will not be permitted to practice under head coach Ciric, nor will he have access to team communications about training schedules after being removed from the players’ group chats.
Bugeja, who represented his country at the U19 European Championships in Burgas and has been a fixture in the Neptunes Senior team for three years, describes the move as “threatening, bullying, and harassment.” He argues that being placed with much younger players, some as young as 12, not only undermines his development but could hinder his prospects in elite competitions and future national team selections.
Strange goings-on at Neptunes ASC
Dean Bugeja alleges that Neptunes WPSC’s President and Team Manager are infringing on his health through ongoing harassment, bullying, and threats, exacerbating what he describes as an increasingly hostile situation. Bugeja claims that management has repeatedly misrepresented the role of head coach Ciric, falsely attributing key training and exclusionary decisions to him. However, in a recent meeting, Coach Ciric clarified his non-involvement, stating that he has no role in contract negotiations or the exclusion of players from team practices.
According to Bugeja, these issues began last year when he received a photo of his contract that allegedly showed a revised end date of 2026–a date he asserts was fraudulently altered to extend his commitment to the club by two extra years. Bugeja points out that official records submitted to the Aquatic Sports Association (ASA) list 2025 as the final year of his contract, reinforcing his belief that tampering occurred. He also notes that the contract bears only the signature of Club President Matthew Bonello, which he argues renders it legally questionable.
Bugeja’s claims cast serious doubt on the club’s handling of his contract and raise concerns about management practices, as he pushes for clarity and fair treatment in the face of mounting tensions.
Player’s lawyer sends email to ASA requesting a disciplinary hearing
Dr Anthony Galea sent an email to the Disciplinary Commissioner as follows:
a. That the Disciplinary Commissioner be informed of this situation without delay, and urged to investigate the matter fully, taking any necessary steps within his authority to halt the Club’s behavior and implement corrective measures.
b. That the player be granted an immediate and unconditional release from his contract, as a direct response to the Club’s actions, after notifying the appropriate authorities within the ASA.
c. That the Club be immediately directed to allow the player to train with the senior squad, enabling him to follow the same program as his teammates, and to cease all forms of harassment.
The Disciplinary Commission then heard submissions by the player, his mother as well as the club after which a decision was taken that the interim decision made on the 12th of October was to be upheld.
Final decision: Neptunes found not guilty but orders player to be reinstated to senior squad
Based on the testimonies provided, it is evident that the Player is highly promising. This is reflected not only in the Club’s pursuit of a contract renewal but also in the interest shown by multiple other water polo clubs. His regular call-ups and standout performances with the U-19 National Team further attest to his talent.
The Player is in a strong position to negotiate the terms of his contract renewal. Exercising his right, he has chosen to delay signing the premature renewal proposed by the Club.
The testimonies also indicate that, following his decision not to renew his contract early, the Player was sidelined from the first-team plans and relegated to a separate training group. The Club attributes this exclusion to a decision made exclusively by the Coach.
However, it is evident that this exclusion prevents the Player from participating in competitive match practice, as he is now relegated to a category below his age level. Consequently, this lack of competitive play may jeopardize his eligibility for future national team call-ups, which require active match participation–a situation that could impact the water polo community at large.
It is further noted that this exclusion from the first team was a recent development, and although it has not yet affected the Player’s match-play, the potential consequences on his career trajectory and contributions to the sport are substantial.
It is also evident that the Club’s decision to exclude the Player from the first team is a recent action, and as of now, has not yet impacted his match-play activities.
Allegations of harassment not proven
While it has been established that the Player’s removal from first-team training is directly linked to his refusal to accept the Club’s proposed contract renewal, this short-term decision does not align with any definitions outlined in Article 4 of the World Aquatics Rules on Protection from Harassment and Abuse. Consequently, the allegation of a breach in this regard is unfounded and does not warrant disciplinary action.
Furthermore, the Player has been in discussions with other clubs, exploring future opportunities that would be within his rights once his current contract expires. Until that time, however, he remains contractually bound to Neptunes.
Although the relegation of the Player to a non-competitive category, albeit brief, does not violate disciplinary regulations, it is certainly problematic. Such a move limits his chance to demonstrate his value to the Club’s coach, potentially impacting his eligibility for future national team selections.
It is worth noting that these proceedings have brought this issue to light, flagging the Club’s questionable decision to sideline the Player in a manner that could hinder his development and career prospects.
Final decision: Club is to reinstate Bugeja with immediate effect but is found not guilty of other charges:
In light of the foregoing, the Commissioner rules that the Club is not guilty of any disciplinary charges filed against it and accordingly acquits the Club of all allegations. However, the Commissioner upholds and formalizes the interim decision made on October 12, 2024. Through this ruling, the Club is directed to reinstate the Player’s eligibility and is required to invite him to train with the senior team. Additionally, the Player shall be entitled to all benefits and privileges afforded to any other registered player within the Club.
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