NYON: European football federation UEFA has banned six Malta under-21 international players for match-fixing offences – the scourge of football denounced by president Aleksander Ceferin as “a disease that attacks football’s very core”.

UEFA initiated disciplinary investigations against seven Malta under-21 players for allegedly having infringed several provisions of Article 12 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations (DR) in connection to potential match-fixing issues.

The punishment was decided by the control, ethics and disciplinary body after an into two European Under-21 ties played by Malta against Montenegro on March 23, 2016, and the Czech Republic six days later.

On December 14 and 15  the commission held several hearings which led to the following decisions:

– Emanuel Briffa: Art. 12 (2) (a) DR: Lifelong ban from all football related activity for having acted in a manner that is likely to exert an unlawful or undue influence on the course and/or result of a match or competition with a view to gaining an advantage for himself or a third party

– Kyle Cesare: Art. 12 (2) (a) DR: Lifelong ban from all football related activity for having acted in a manner that is likely to exert an unlawful or undue influence on the course and/or result of a match or competition with a view to gaining an advantage for himself or a third party.

– Samir Arab: Art. 12 (2) (d) DR: 2 year ban (until 31.12.2019) for not immediately and voluntarily informing UEFA if approached in connection with activities aimed at influencing in an unlawful or undue manner the course and/or result of a match or competition

– Ryan Camenzuli: Art. 12 (2) (d) DR: 1 year 6 months ban (until 30.06.2019) and community football service for not immediately and voluntarily informing UEFA if approached in connection with activities aimed at influencing in an unlawful or undue manner the course and/or result of a match or competition

– Llywelyn Cremona: Art. 12 (2) (d) DR: 12 months ban (until 31.12.2018) and community football service for not immediately and voluntarily informing UEFA if approached in connection with activities aimed at influencing in an unlawful or undue manner the course and/or result of a match or competition

– Luke Montebello: Art. 12 (2) (d) DR: 12 months ban (until 31.12.2018) and community football service for not immediately and voluntarily informing UEFA if approached in connection with activities aimed at influencing in an unlawful or undue manner the course and/or result of a match or competition

– Matthew Cremona: The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body decided to close the disciplinary proceedings opened against Mr Cremona. Consequently, the player is allowed to participate in any football activities.

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