by The Malta Football Association (MFA) and the Malta Football Players Association (MFPA) announced agreement over a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), pertaining to the technical and sporting conditions of the players forming part of the Malta women’s national team set-up. This aligns to the UEFA Minimum Standards Framework for Women’s National Teams launched last October.
The Agreement
The Malta Football Association (MFA) and the Malta Football Players Association (MFPA) announced a new agreement over a new two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), focusing on the technical and sporting conditions of the players forming part of the Malta Women’s National Team setup. This becomes the third MOU signed in a three-year period.
The agreement focuses on a number of elements, with three main pillars. It addresses improvements in call-up appearance fees and bonuses, as well as improved travelling arrangements. There is also a focus on the parental and pregnancy support policy. Primarily, a player caring of an infant who is being breastfed by the player is entitled to bring her child and a support person of her choice when they are on duty with the national team.
The bodies announced that the newly-signed agreement fully adheres to the UEFA Minimum Standards Framework for Women’s National Teams in Europe, established last year by UEFA in close consultation with FIFPRO Europe.
Dr Angelo Chetcuti, General Secretary of the Malta FA, was part of UEFA’s Working Group on the formulation of the UEFA Minimum Standards for Women’s National Teams. He welcomed the agreement as an important step to reward players’ hard work and push for improved conditions, “The signing of a third MOU for the women’s national team in the space of three years rewards not only the success achieved by our dedicated players but also underlines our willingness to improve their sporting and technical conditions, also covering areas such as childhood support which are becoming increasingly relevant and important.”
He continued, “The Malta FA will soon renew its strategy for women’s football to ensure that the game continues to flourish in the long term. This MOU aligns with this strategy as the women’s national team footballers are our best ambassadors who inspire young girls who are taking their initial steps in the pathway from grassroots to elite. We are fully aware that there is always more to be done.”
Carlo Mamo, General Secretary of the MFPA, welcomed the signing of the MOU, “The MFPA fully understands that reaching an agreement that satisfies all parties concerned is not straightforward. It entails effort and compromise but it is clear that all parties have been working towards a fair resolution.”
Mamo concluded, “We are pleased with the outcome of our discussions with the Malta FA about the latest MOU, especially the significant increases in appearance fees and bonuses, but more pertinent, in our opinion, are the other measures that address other key areas, such as the pregnancy policy. These steps are crucial for the continued growth and success of the sport.”
Alignment To UEFA Minimum Standards’ Framework
The framework was published in October of last year as an attempt to level the playing-field between European countries, by enforcing a minimum level of conditions and structures across teams and associations for the women’s senior national teams. It was developed through consultation with players, coaches and FIFPRO Europe.
The announcement indicates a focus on three pillars out of various facets detailed in the Framework. Upon its announcement, UEFA stated that European Football Associations would be handed €100,000 per year to implement these minimum standards for its women’s senior national team.
Once fulfilled, the Associations can opt to further enhance the conditions and environments of the senior national team players or to use it to improve the sporting and technical provisions at youth team levels.
Lead Image: Dorienne Grech
Follow The Sporting Fan on social media: Instagram ~ Facebook ~ X
