Source: FOOTYMAD
Mifsud Quiet On Calls To Fire Him As Malta Captain
More on Mifsud Former Coventry City striker Michael Mifsud is keeping quiet after calls for him to quit as the captain of Malta's national side.According to an article written by Nikki Abela for the Maltese press, neither the national football team captain nor the coach are willing to react to criticism by Malta Football Association President that Michael Mifsud is not fit to head the squad."I'm not interested in replying. I don't have time to waste," was Mr Mifsud's curt reply to the MFA President's statement that the striker should be stripped of his captain armband.Coach John Buttigieg reacted in the same manner and said these were 'internal matters' that should be discussed internally.In an interview with The Sunday Times of Malta, the recently-elected MFA President, Norman Darmanin Demajo, noted that Mr Mifsud was idle and referred to media reports he had turned down a number of approaches by foreign clubs because he was not happy with the offers."If the leader of your team isn't playing there's something missing. So, in my opinion, you shouldn't be a captain."If you've made it in England you can make it everywhere. It's one of the toughest leagues in the world. You need physical and mental strength, Mr Darmanin Demajo said of Mr Mifsud.He admitted he preferred to have a foreign national coach because he thought coaches in Malta did not have enough international experience, adding he did not agree with Mr Buttigieg's decision to keep Mr Mifsud as captain.Such criticism is rare, especially considering the popularity of Malta's all-time top scorer = and a former Coventry City player. He even has a Facebook group with over 600 members entitled Michael Mifsud For President.Mr Mifsud is also well known for putting Manchester = United out of the Carling Cup in 2007 when he scored two goals for Coventry City in the Old Trafford stadium.However, in spite of his past success, Mr Mifsud has only been contracted to a club for two of the last 20 months.Mr Darmanin Demajo said Mr Mifsud was recently offered a contract with an American professional team but, as far as he knew, the player did not sign up. British clubs were also interested in Mr Mifsud, Mr Darmanin Demajo said, but they did not agree on terms.
