Malta sports bodies face scrutiny over governance practices

Two local sports organisations in Malta, the Malta Modern Pentathlon Association (MMPA) and Malta Sports For All (MSFA), have become the subject of regulatory scrutiny by national authorities. At the centre of the matter is Italian sports consultant Marco Tomasini, who is presented as a key link between both organisations. The developments have raised broader questions about governance structures, registration requirements and the oversight of emerging sports disciplines within Malta’s regulatory framework.

The following analysis examines the situation using confirmed statements from relevant authorities and responses from the individuals involved. It maintains a formal legal journalistic tone and avoids speculative conclusions, with all quoted statements reproduced exactly as provided.

Background to the organisations involved

The MSFA and the MMPA are two distinct entities operating within Malta’s sporting landscape. MSFA operates as an umbrella grouping which reportedly brings together between ten and fifteen niche sports disciplines. The MMPA focuses specifically on modern pentathlon and related disciplines including obstacle course racing which has grown in popularity in recent years.

While the two organisations serve different purposes, both have been linked to Tomasini who is described as a self employed sports consultant. Tomasini claims to concurrently hold eighteen positions across various sports governing bodies across Europe and specialises in assisting emerging sports to gain national recognition.

The links between Tomasini and the two Maltese organisations have been confirmed by the Authority for Integrity of Maltese Sports (AIMS) and by the Office of the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations (OCVO). Both regulators have stated that they are examining aspects of the organisations’ activities within their respective remits.

The role of Marco Tomasini

Marco Tomasini presents himself as an experienced consultant with over two decades of involvement in European sports administration. According to his own statements, his work focuses on regulatory pathways and institutional recognition for new sports disciplines.

In Malta, Tomasini has been involved in attempts to register and formalise a number of voluntary organisations connected to sports activities. Regulatory authorities have confirmed that applications linked to Tomasini have not been approved to date and that some remain under review.

Tomasini has publicly contested claims that he or the organisations are under investigation. When asked to confirm whether AIMS and the OCVO were scrutinising MSFA and MMPA, he requested that The Shift “to prove all your statement or I must start a legal procedure to defend my image and the federation image.” He added that he was not aware of any ongoing investigations by regulators.

Governance structure of the Malta Modern Pentathlon Association

The MMPA is presented as an active organisation with a defined leadership structure that includes local figures. The president of the association is William Lewis, who also serves as organising secretary of the Labour Party. Lewis is additionally described as an architect and the owner of an environmental consulting firm.

The vice presidents of the MMPA are Ivan Gauci and Julian Briffa. Both are associated with obstacle course academies and fitness related sports enterprises in Malta and are recognised as influential figures within the organised sports community.

Their involvement has placed the MMPA at the intersection of sports governance political roles and commercial sporting facilities. This convergence has drawn particular attention from regulators tasked with ensuring transparency integrity and compliance with applicable laws.

Planning and regulatory concerns involving sports facilities

Prior reporting has highlighted planning issues linked to facilities associated with MMPA vice presidents. Earlier this month, The Shift reported that an obstacle course academy in Qormi operated by Gauci was developed illegally. Separate reporting also noted that a sports facility developed in collaboration with Briffa’s club had operated without planning permits before later being sanctioned by the Planning Authority.

These matters have become relevant to the regulatory assessment of the MMPA. According to AIMS, such issues form part of the broader considerations surrounding the organisation’s eligibility for recognition.

AIMS chief executive officer Kevin Azzopardi confirmed that neither MSFA nor MMPA was registered with the integrity regulator. He also stated that the Malta Olympic Committee (MOC) could not seriously consider MSFA’s application because national recognition is reserved for federations dedicated to a single discipline.

Registration status and regulatory oversight

Azzopardi further clarified that while the MMPA had formally filed an application seeking recognition as the national reference body for pentathlon athletes aiming to compete in the Olympic Games, it was never registered with AIMS.

“However, the MMPA’s ongoing affiliation process with the MOC has been brought to a halt due to the illegalities present on the Obstacle Course Academy’s site, as highlighted by your story – among other issues under review,” Azzopardi stated.

The OCVO has confirmed that multiple applications submitted by Tomasini to register voluntary organisations in Malta were rejected. The office also confirmed that MSFA is “under review.” Authorities have indicated that intelligence is being shared between AIMS and the OCVO regarding the activities of the group.

Control over niche sports disciplines

Despite not meeting formal registration criteria, the organisations under scrutiny are reported to have established a degree of control over certain niche sports. In the case of obstacle course racing, the MMPA’s vice presidents are said to have established effective national representation structures.

According to the information presented, young and adult athletes seeking to participate in obstacle course racing competitions at national level are required to register through schools or academies linked to Gauci and Briffa. This has raised concerns about concentration of authority and access within a sport that is rapidly gaining popularity.

The perceived legitimacy of these arrangements is partly supported by Tomasini’s reported connections with the Union Internationale de Penthatlone Moderne, the international governing body for modern pentathlon.

International background and previous disputes

Tomasini’s career has not been without controversy. During his tenure as provincial committee president for Attività Sportive Confederate (ASC), an Italian sports promotion body, the leadership of the organisation accused him of repeatedly failing to respond to requests for explanations and documentation related to committee management.

As a result, Tomasini was suspended for four years. He unsuccessfully challenged the decision within the ASC before appealing to the highest internal court of the Comitato Olimpico Nazionale Italiano (CONI). His appeal contested both the allegations and the legitimacy of the disciplinary process itself.

Following a review of the case, CONI’s internal court annulled the disciplinary measures and overturned the sanctions imposed on Tomasini. This outcome has been cited by Tomasini as evidence of his professional integrity.

Three years ago, Tomasini was also suspended from his role as vice president of the European Cheerleading Association (ECA). He has disputed the circumstances and implications of that suspension.

Tomasini’s response to criticism

In responses provided to The Shift, Tomasini defended his professional record and rejected allegations of wrongdoing. Referring to the ASC case, he emphasised that the suspension was overturned by CONI’s court.

Regarding his time with the ECA, Tomasini attributed internal difficulties to geopolitical issues involving Russian athletes and leadership. He stated:
“At the same time, the International Olympic Committee recognised the International Cheer Union and the ECA, after what they did, European DanceSPort Federation expelled them and they are not part of the Sport system (sic).”

He further argued that his continued recognition by sporting bodies demonstrated the absence of legal or ethical violations.
“By the way, just to confirm all of these, if I had any legal problem or suspension I was not able to have the status of CIPC Individual Member nor the Honorary Star of the National Olympic Committee of Italy, confirmed after this suspension (sic),” he said.

Tomasini also acknowledged that challenges can arise in long careers.
“It is impossible” to avoid problems over twenty years, he said, adding that “the main point is to show that you have done anything wrong and you have not been found guilty, even having damage for the fake statement (sic).”

Defence of Maltese colleagues

Tomasini also defended Julian Briffa and Ivan Gauci, rejecting claims that reflected negatively on their activities. He stated that any accusations were “just a way to create scandals and will end with a formal apology to them and to their perfect integrity.”

He concluded that “all the statements are incorrect and the fact check has been full of lack (sic).”

In a separate response, Briffa stated that his fitness centre is “a fully licensed and insured sports club operating in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.” This statement contrasts with Gauci’s earlier assertion that no insured facilities existed in Malta, as previously reported in relation to planning issues at his academy.

Of the three MMPA members contacted for comment, Gauci did not provide an individual response.

Broader implications for sports governance in Malta

The situation highlights the complexities faced by regulators when emerging sports grow rapidly without established governance structures. Malta’s regulatory framework requires clear registration processes compliance with planning and safety laws and transparency in leadership arrangements.

Authorities have not issued final determinations regarding the organisations or individuals involved. The information available reflects ongoing reviews rather than concluded enforcement actions.

The case also illustrates the importance of separating political roles commercial interests and sports administration to avoid perceived conflicts and to maintain public trust.

Conclusion

The scrutiny of the Malta Modern Pentathlon Association and Malta Sports For All underscores the challenges of regulating evolving sports sectors within a small jurisdiction. While the individuals involved have strongly denied wrongdoing and pointed to past legal vindications, regulators have confirmed that registration and compliance issues remain unresolved.

At this stage, the matter remains under review by the relevant authorities. Any final conclusions will depend on the outcome of regulatory processes designed to safeguard integrity transparency and fairness in Maltese sport. Until such determinations are made, it is essential that reporting remains factual measured and respectful of legal boundaries to ensure that the rights and reputations of all parties are preserved.

FAQs

What organisations are involved in the Malta sports governance review?
The Malta Modern Pentathlon Association and Malta Sports For All are the two organisations referenced by regulators.

Who is Marco Tomasini?
He is an Italian sports consultant linked to both organisations and involved in efforts to obtain recognition for emerging sports.

Are the organisations formally registered in Malta?
According to AIMS and the OCVO neither organisation is registered with the relevant regulators.

What role does AIMS play?
AIMS oversees integrity and registration requirements for sports organisations in Malta.

Why is MSFA not eligible for Olympic recognition?
National recognition is limited to federations representing a single sports discipline.

What halted the MMPA affiliation process?
Planning and regulatory issues linked to associated sports facilities were cited among the reasons.

Have any final findings been issued?
No final determinations have been announced and reviews are ongoing.

What is the OCVO reviewing?
The OCVO is assessing applications to register voluntary organisations linked to Tomasini.

How have the individuals responded?
They have denied wrongdoing and defended their professional integrity.

What happens next?
Any further action will depend on the outcome of regulatory reviews and compliance assessments.