Malta Football Association
Encyclopedia
The Malta Football Association (MFA) is the governing body of football
in Malta
.
It organises the Maltese Football League and several other competitions, including the knockout competition for the top teams, called the FA Trophy. The Malta national football team
as well as several other representative teams in the younger categories compete regularly in international competitions organised by UEFA
and FIFA
. These include the European Championships and the World Cup.
Malta also takes part in women's international competitions and those of Futsal.
The MFA manages the National stadium
and the Centenary Stadium. This complex based in Ta` Qali includes training grounds, a gymnasium, a swimming pool and physiotherapy and medical clinics. The complex is also used by foreign clubs during the winter months, due to the mild temperatures of the Maltese Islands.
The association is one of the oldest, being founded in 1900 with the first national league being organised in season 1909-1910. There are several important landmarks in the history of Maltese football, especially since Malta played its first official international friendly match against Austria
in February 1957. The result was a narrow 3-2 defeat for Malta.
It took until 1959 for the MFA to join FIFA
, also joining UEFA
the year after in 1960. From then onwards, Malta become an ever-present in international competitions at national teams as well as at club levels.
The MFA is structured by having 53 member clubs, as well as 10 member associations. The clubs compete in four divisions; the premier, first, second and
third. The member associations are specialised football associations who organise competitions for clubs affiliated to them. The member associations include:
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
in Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
.
It organises the Maltese Football League and several other competitions, including the knockout competition for the top teams, called the FA Trophy. The Malta national football team
Malta national football team
The Malta national football team is the national football team of Malta and is controlled by the Malta Football Association. Malta played its first international game in February 1957, and began competing for qualification to major tournaments in 1962. The side's first competitive victory came in...
as well as several other representative teams in the younger categories compete regularly in international competitions organised by UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
and FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
. These include the European Championships and the World Cup.
Malta also takes part in women's international competitions and those of Futsal.
The MFA manages the National stadium
Ta'Qali Stadium
Ta' Qali National Stadium is the national stadium of Malta, and is the home stadium of the Malta national football team. It stages most Maltese Premier League and cup matches, as well as international matches...
and the Centenary Stadium. This complex based in Ta` Qali includes training grounds, a gymnasium, a swimming pool and physiotherapy and medical clinics. The complex is also used by foreign clubs during the winter months, due to the mild temperatures of the Maltese Islands.
The association is one of the oldest, being founded in 1900 with the first national league being organised in season 1909-1910. There are several important landmarks in the history of Maltese football, especially since Malta played its first official international friendly match against Austria
Austria national football team
The Austria national football team is the association football team that represents the country of Austria in international competition and is controlled by the Austrian Football Association ....
in February 1957. The result was a narrow 3-2 defeat for Malta.
It took until 1959 for the MFA to join FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
, also joining UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
the year after in 1960. From then onwards, Malta become an ever-present in international competitions at national teams as well as at club levels.
The MFA is structured by having 53 member clubs, as well as 10 member associations. The clubs compete in four divisions; the premier, first, second and
third. The member associations are specialised football associations who organise competitions for clubs affiliated to them. The member associations include:
- the Gozo Football AssociationGozo Football AssociationThe Gozo Football Association is the body that co-ordinates and organises football on the island of Gozo. Formed in 1936 they organise the Gozo Football League, which is split into two divisions,the First Division and the Second Division. They also organise the G.F.A...
- organises competitions for teams on the island of Gozo - Inter Amateur Soccer Competition
- Employees Sports Association
- Malta Hotels and Restaurants Sports Association
- Industries Soccer Association
- District Football Association
- Malta Youth Football AssociationMalta Youth Football AssociationThe Youth Football Association . It started with the founding of the Educational Sports Centre at Marsa in 1972. That was the very first nursery in Malta. Hundreds of Children attended once or twice a week to train in football, basketball, athletics and gymnastics...
- for players under 16 - Malta Amateur Football Association
- Malta Football Coaches Association
- Malta Football Referees Association
External links
- Official website
- Malta at FIFA site
- Malta at UEFA site
- maltafootball.com