Marsaxlokk F.C. have officially filed a protest with the Malta Football Association following their defeat to Floriana F.C. in Saturday’s Malta Premier League final.

Floriana secured a dramatic 2-1 victory and claimed the league title thanks to a controversial stoppage-time goal that has since sparked major debate.

The disputed goal, awarded in the 92nd minute and credited to Kenan Dervisagic, originated from a long throw-in delivered by Carlo Zammit Lonardelli. Marsaxlokk argue that no player made contact with the ball before it entered the net.

In their official protest, the Southseasiders insist that video footage clearly shows the ball travelling directly from the throw-in into the goal after bouncing near the post without any touch from Dervisagic or any other player.

“Marsaxlokk FC strongly disagrees with the validation of this goal and the attribution of it to Kenan Dervisagic,” the protest states. “High-definition match footage explicitly shows that the ball travelled directly from the thrower, bounced outside the goalpost and into the net without being touched by any player.”

The club is arguing that referee Matthew De Gabriele committed a technical error by allowing the goal to stand. Marsaxlokk referenced the IFAB Laws of the Game, which state that a team cannot score directly from a throw-in and that, in such circumstances, a goal kick should instead be awarded to the opposing side.

Marsaxlokk further argued that the incident carries even greater significance because the goal ultimately decided the outcome of the Premier League final and the destination of the league title.

“Should this irregular goal be allowed to stand, the 2025-26 YoHealth Malta Premier title would have been awarded unjustly, unfairly and in manifest breach of an IFAB law which governs football globally,” the protest continues.

The club is requesting that the MFA Protests Board declare a technical error, annul the result of the match played on May 16, and order a full replay of the final.

Marsaxlokk FC is being represented in the case by lawyers Maurice Meli and Carlos Bugeja.