There is currently a crisis engulfing Maltese water polo, involving a series of allegations concerning illegal betting, match-fixing and political interference. Earlier this year, an investigation identified suspicious betting activity involving members of the national team and individuals connected to local clubs. The subsequent international investigation found no evidence of match manipulation or match-fixing, but 11 players and one athlete-support official were found to have breached World Aquatics betting regulations over betting.
Former Malta national water polo coach Milan Ćirović is now accusing politically connected individuals of interfering in the sport and causing serious disruption. Ćirović claimed that politicians with power were behind efforts to undermine the national team and alleged that some journalists had been “dictated by” politicians in a campaign against the team. He described the environment surrounding Maltese water polo as having become “too dirty”. He did not publicly name the politicians involved.
The allegations have prompted the Nationalist Party to demand an independent investigation and to ask whether the government, SportMalta, the Aquatic Sports Association and the Authority for Integrity in Maltese Sport were affected by or aware of any political interference. The ASA itself has said that Ćirović’s allegations cannot simply be disregarded.
Obviously, is referring to previous Sports Minister Clifton Grima who filled the relevant authorities with Labour Party political appointees. The Authority for Integrity in Maltese Sport, which is supposed to safeguard Maltese sport from precisely this kind of interference and misconduct, is chaired by Judge Antonio Mizzi. Its leadership has also included former Labour MP Jean Claude Micallef, who has himself publicly questioned why Ćirović’s allegations do not appear to be under investigation.
While the current crisis is ongoing, AIMS Chairman Judge Antonio Mizzi, who continues to shuffle between various public-board engagements and government-appointed inquiries (cover-ups) is once again on holiday leaving the current crisis as pending with the government seemingly disinterested in the whole mess.
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