Floriana count cost of defeat

Writs filed
Grech Sant filed a writ against Floriana in 2000 as he felt he had a legal right to be repaid €218,000, plus interest, which he had loaned the club during his tenure there. Floriana launched a counter writ against Grech Sant but the Maltese Civil Court of Justice ruled in favour of the former president.

Survival struggle
Floriana's current president, Doctor Hugh Peralta, said of the decision: "The ball is not in our court any more. We are doing our utmost [to survive]. It is not the ideal way to manage a sporting organisation, with the axe hanging over our heads."

Crucial evidence
A club boasting over a century of history, Floriana have declared that they were not given a fair hearing as three high-profile former employees - president Dennis Burke, treasurer Noel Debattista, and club secretary Pierre Mattocks - were not notified by the court that the case was due to be heard, thus denying them the chance to provide evidence supporting Floriana's case.

Possible transfers
The ruling casts doubt over Floriana's ability to keep prized assets Etienne Barbara, 20, and Claude Mattocks, 22. Neither featured in the 4-1 weekend defeat of Mosta FC, and Marsaxlokk FC are reportedly close to agreeing a deal for the pair which would see Floriana net a fee in the region of €100,000.