The Malta Football Association has provisionally suspended Ħamrun Spartans goalkeeper Matthias Debono after he was charged in connection with an alleged attempt to manipulate last season’s FA Trophy final between Valletta and Gżira United.
Debono is facing proceedings from both the Malta Police Force and the Malta FA following an investigation which has been ongoing for several weeks.
The young goalkeeper is accused of approaching a Gżira United player in the days leading up to last May’s FA Trophy final, allegedly with the intention of influencing the normal course or result of the match.
Debono is expected to be arraigned in court in the coming weeks to face criminal charges.
He will also appear before the Malta FA’s Sporting Tribunal, where he faces allegations that he offered a bribe in an attempt to influence the outcome of the final, as well as charges relating to illicit betting.
The Malta FA confirmed Debono’s provisional suspension in a statement, saying the measure would remain in force until proceedings are concluded.
“The Malta Football Association has temporarily suspended Matthias Debono pending the outcome of proceedings before its Control, Discipline and Ethics – Integrity Board,” the association said.
The Malta FA added that the decision followed a police investigation and charges connected with the 2025/26 FA Trophy final between Valletta and Gżira United, with the allegations falling under its regulations governing bribery and illicit betting in football.
The association said it would make no further comment until the proceedings have been concluded and a final decision reached.
The investigation was triggered after the Gżira United player involved in the alleged approach contacted the Malta FA Integrity Officer and reported the matter.
An investigation was subsequently opened by the association before the police were contacted and took the lead in the case.
Police examined the available evidence and spoke to the Gżira player as well as officials from the Premier League club.
Debono was subsequently arrested over the alleged offer, questioned by police and later released on bail while investigations continued.
The case is the latest match-fixing investigation involving Maltese football this year.
In March, police investigated allegations from Mosta players who claimed they had been approached by a football intermediary and offered inducements intended to influence their Premier League match against Naxxar Lions, which Mosta lost 5-0.
Another case involved defender Jurgen Pisani, who was initially jailed for 15 months after being found guilty of offering a bribe to Maxuell Maia during a Premier League match in 2024. Pisani was subsequently acquitted of all match-fixing charges on appeal.
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