A demand for full transparency on VisitMalta sponsorship of Joseph Portelli’s Italian football club

Momentum has today filed a Freedom of Information request with the Malta Tourism Authority. We are seeking full disclosure regarding the VisitMalta sponsorship of the Italian regional football club Ars et Labor Ferrara, previously known as SPAL.

This move follows the recent acquisition of the club by JP Football Holdings Ltd, a company owned by Maltese developer Joseph Portelli. The public deserves clarity on how taxpayer funds are being utilised and whether this sponsorship serves any legitimate national interest.

Our request demands the publication of all documents related to this agreement, specifically targeting the following areas:

• Financial Commitments: The total value of the sponsorship, annual payments and any performance targets or KPIs.
• Tourism Justification: Data and market analyses attempting to prove that sponsoring an Italian club competing at a regional level will benefit Malta.
• Due Diligence: Proof that proper conflict of interest assessments were conducted, particularly given the club’s recent change in ownership.
• Procurement Process: Evidence showing whether a competitive evaluation was undertaken prior to the award of the sponsorship.
• Return on Investment: Cost-benefit analyses and the exact metrics used to measure the success of this marketing expenditure.

Momentum remains committed to dismantling the culture of secrecy that routinely surrounds public spending. Taxpayer money must be invested in improving our island and fostering a just economy, rather than being dispensed behind closed doors without robust justification.

Mark Camilleri Gambin, General Secretary of Momentum, stated:

“The premise of this sponsorship is deeply flawed. Malta does not suffer from a lack of tourist numbers; if anything, our infrastructure and environment are suffering under the current volume. Pumping our tax money into an Italian regional football club to attract even more visitors is economically misguided and irresponsible. We must question whether this is a genuine strategy based on empirical data or simply a state-funded subsidy for a well-connected developer’s overseas venture. Good governance demands that the MTA opens its books and justifies the logic of this deal to the taxpayer.”

Momentum will continue to hold state authorities accountable and will share the findings of this request with the public once the documents are released.

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