In April 2022 NADOMALTA reported an anti-doping rule violation against the hockey player Steve Portelli after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Cannabis in a concentration above the WADA threshold.

Following notification the Athlete admitted the violation, waived his right for a hearing, accepted a provisional suspension and the sanction proposed by the Authority for Integrity in Maltese Sports (AIMS).

Although the Parties went into a case resolution agreement the Athlete did not respond to the opportunity to establish that his use of Cannabis was a case of Substance of Abuse. Consequently he failed to demonstrate that his use occurred out-of-competition and was unrelated to sport performance.

The AIMS rejected the Athlete's request for an exemption to be permitted to coach. Further the AIMS considers that there had been delays in the proceedings not attributed to the Athlete.

Therefore the AIMS decides on 18 May 2023 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the sample collection, i.e. on 13 March 2022.

1.) MFA 2015 Malta Football Association vs Larson Mallia (18 August 2015)
2.) MFA 2015 Larson Mallia vs Malta Football Association - Appeal (19 September 2015)

On 18 August 2015 the Malta Football Association (MFA) Control and Disciplinary Board decided to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the football player Larson Mallia after he tested positive for the prohibited substance Cocaine. Here the Board accepted that the violation was no intentional and that the substance was used out-of-competition.

Hereafter in August 2015 the Athlete appealed the MFA decision of 18 August 2015 at the MFA Board of Appeal.

The Athlete admitted the violation and asserted that his use of Cocaine was not intentional en out-of-competition. He argued that the imposed sanction in First Instance was too severe and requested the Board of Appeal for a reduced sanction.

The MFA Appeal Board finds that there are no grounds for a reduced sanction, dismisses the Athlete’s appeal and decides on 19 September 2015 to uphold the MFA Control and Disciplinary Board decision of 18 August 2015.

On 18 August 2015 the Malta Football (MFA) Control and Disciplinary Board decided to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the football player Nigel Rizzo after he tested positive for the prohibited substances Cannabis and Cocaine. Here the Board accepted that the violation was no intentional and that the substances were used out-of-competition. The Board rejected the Athlete’s assertation that the Cocaine came into his system through passive ingestion.

Hereafter in August 2015 the Athlete appealed the MFA decision of 18 August 2015 with the MFA Board of Appeal.

The Athlete admitted the use of Cannabis but denied the use of Cocaine. He claimed that the substance came into his system out-of-competiton at a club through passive inhalation when people in his vicinity inhaled the powder. The Athlete argued that in First Instance his assertion about passive inhalation was ignored, that the imposed sanction was too severe and he requested the Board of Appeal for a reduced sanction.

The MFA Board of Appeal finds that already had been established that the violation was not intentional and believes that the Athlete had been involved before in circumstances that these substances were used. Further the Board holds that the Athlete failed to produce evidence in support of his assertion. Also the Board considers that the concentration Cocaine found in the Athlete’s sample was not consistent with the passive inhalation of the substance.

Therefore the MFA Board of Appeal deems that there are no grounds for a reduced sanction, dismisses the Athlete’s appeal and decides on 18 September 2015 to uphold the MFA Control and Disciplinary Board decision of 18 August 2015.

In November 2016 the Malta Football Association (MFA) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the football player Ian Zammit after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Cocaine. After notification a provisional suspension was ordered and the Athlete was heard for the MFA Control and Disciplinary Board.

The Athlete asserted that there was a false positive test result caused by the medication he had used as treatment for his condition.

The Board finds that the test result showed the presence of the prohibited substance and accordingly that the Athlete committed an anti-doping rule violation. The Board considers that the Athlete failed to produce any evidence in support of his assertation about a false positive and failed to establish that the violation was not intentional nor No Significant Fault or Negligence.

Therefore the MFA Control and Disciplinary Board decides on 18 April 2017 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 16 November 2016.

In March 2016 the Malta Football Association (MFA) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the football player Jake Farrugia after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substances Nandrolone and Boldenone. After notification a provisional suspension was ordered and the Athlete filed a statement in his defence.

The MFA Control and Disciplinary Board finds that the test result showed the presence of the prohibited substances and accordingly that the Athlete committed an anti-doping rule violation.

Considering the evidence the Board accepts that the violation was not intentional because the Athlete was injured and recovering since April 2015, and not capable to play competitive football. The Board also deems that the Athlete was aware that he was using these prohibited substances and that there are no grounds for No Significant Fault or Negligence.

Therefore the MFA Control and Disciplinary Board decides on 3 May 2016 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 8 March 2016.

In April 2016 the Malta Football Association (MFA) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the football player Miguel Francica after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Cocaine. After notification a provisional suspension was ordered and the Athlete filed a statement in his defence.

The MFA Control and Disciplinary Board finds that the test result showed the presence of the prohibited substance and accordingly that the Athlete committed an anti-doping rule violation.

Considering the evidence the Board accepts that the violation was not intentional since it was used out-of-competition. The Board deems that there are no grounds for No Significant Fault or Negligence.

Therefore the MFA Control and Disciplinary Board decides on 3 May 2016 to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 19 April 2016.

On 10 January 2017 the Malta Football Federation (MFA) Control and Disciplinary Board decided to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the football player Dean Camilleri for his refusal or failure to submit to sample collection. Here the Athlete failed to attend the hearing of the MFA Disciplinary Board.

Hereafter in January 2017 the Athlete appealed the MFA decision at the MFA Board of Appeal.

The Athlete argued that he had not received the Notification and therefore failed to attend the First Instance Hearing while he wished the make a statement in his defence. The Athlete asserted that he is a waterpolo player for 24 years and only a football player in the winter season. He testified that as a waterpolo player he was tested several times without issues and had never before refused to provide a sample.

The Athlete explained that during the competition in question he had permission from his coach to leave because he had problems at home when he was told that he was selected for a sample collection. Because of the problems at home he decided to leave. Considering the circumstances the Athlete requested the Board of Appeal for a reduced sanction.

The Board of Appeal accepts the Athlete’s explanation, as supported by evidence, that he had to leave because of urgent problems at home and that there was no evidence that he refused because he had used doping. The Board concludes that the violation was not intentional and that the Athlete established No Significant Fault or Negligence.

Therefore the MFA Board of Appeal decides 23 March 2017 to reduce the sanction and to impose a 2 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the Notification, i.e. 12 December 2016.

In January 2019 the Malta Football Association (MFA) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the football player Danny Kabeya after his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Cocaine. After notification a provisional suspension was ordered and the Athlete was heard for the MFA Control and Disciplinary Board.

The Athlete accepted the test result and denied any use of the prohibited substance without providing any other other explanation.

The Board finds that the test result showed the presence of the prohibited substance and accordingly that the Athlete committed an anti-doping rule violation. The Board considers that the Athlete failed to establish that the violation was not intentional or that the Cocaine possibly only was used socially.

Therefore the MFA Control and Disciplinary Board decides on 29 April 2019 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 14 January 2019.