PN MP Jason Azzopardi today emphasised in parliament on the importance of combating match-fixing, pointing out that the MFA’s task force he proudly forms part of on behalf of the Opposition has one aim: “to rid football of match-fixing".

He quoted the words said by Italy's President Sergio Mattarella during a commemoration event in memory of the late prosecuting magistrate Giovanni Falcone: ‘Gangs of various kinds try to change the outcome of matches and make money from betting - which is a shame - and which should be eradicated. We cannot accept that the beauty of the sport is altered’.

Speaking during this evening’s adjournment, he said that he was invited to attend the commemoration of Falcone held in Palermo last Saturday by Falcone’s sister Maria who set up a foundation in her brother’s memory.

Falcone was killed by the Corleonesi Mafia back in 1992 on the motorway near the town of Capaci. he had spent most of his professional life trying to overthrow the power of the Sicilian Mafia. His life parallels that of his close friend Paola Borsellino. They both spent their early years in the same neighbourhood in Palermo. And though many of their childhood friends grew up in the Mafia background, both men fought on the other side of the war as prosecuting magistrates. They were both killed a few months apart.

The Falcone commemoration held in Palermo last week

Dr Azzopardi said he believed that those caught participating in match-fixing should face an effective prison-term while calling for harsher penalties for such criminals. At this point, Dr Azzopardi saluted Franz Tabone – MFA’s integrity officer – for his ongoing fight against this plague which is linked to organised crime.

Dr Azzopardi also tabled an Interpol document where Malta is mentioned on match-fixing along with India and Italy. He also referred to FIFA's investigations where a number of FIFA officials were arrested in Zurich today.