Valletta FC and Gżira United FC have both expressed strong disappointment with the Malta Football Association’s (MFA) decision to proceed with the Meridianbet FA Trophy semi-finals as scheduled, despite what they describe as exceptional circumstances affecting squad preparation and player welfare.

Valletta FC highlighted that five of its players have been called up to represent their respective national teams—an honour for the players, the club and Maltese football. However, their return just two days before the semi-final leaves no room for meaningful preparation and raises concerns over player welfare.

Similarly, Gżira United pointed to the absence of several key players due to international duties, noting that members of their squad have been committed to national teams for three full weeks. With four players involved in the U21 setup and others engaged with senior national teams—including Malta and San Marino—the club stressed that it has been unable to train and prepare adequately as a full squad.

Both clubs argued that this situation creates a clear competitive imbalance. Valletta FC described the issue as one of sporting integrity and fairness, insisting that a semi-final should be contested with equal preparation and full sporting capacity. The club proposed a minimal adjustment—shifting the fixture by two days to Monday, 6 April—to preserve the integrity of the competition, but this was not accepted by the MFA or Birkirkara FC.

Gżira United also formally requested a postponement of the semi-final originally scheduled for Saturday, 4 April 2026. The club detailed the logistical challenges faced by its players, including long travel schedules and limited recovery time. U21 players are set to return to Malta on 1 April after international fixtures in Greece and Georgia, leaving just one day of training with the squad. Senior national team players face similarly tight schedules, making полноцен preparation for such a crucial match nearly impossible.

Despite these concerns, the MFA rejected Gżira’s request following opposition from Naxxar FC, and further informed the club that the match would kick off earlier than initially planned.

Both Valletta FC and Gżira United emphasised that while they fully support national team commitments and take pride in their players’ involvement, such contributions should not come at the expense of fairness in domestic competitions. They argue that clubs investing in and developing players for national representation should not be placed at a disadvantage as a result.

The clubs have called on the MFA to reconsider its stance and ensure that principles of fair play extend beyond the pitch to include equitable preparation conditions for all teams.