Matthew Vella A fruitless search for a visa over-stayer left police with no option but to arrest a Nigerian footballer inside the Gozo stadium’s changing rooms, leaving fans irate and suspicious of foul play.
A Police spokesperson told MaltaToday that the search for Dominic Matthias, a footballer who overstayed his visa, took two days before finding and apprehending him in the half-time break of the match between Gharb Rangers and San Lawrenz Spurs.
The incident was even reported in French newspaper Liberation.
Gharb supporters were irate at news that their Nigerian striker had been arrested in the changing rooms, while their team was still midway in their match against San Lawrenz. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.
The Police spokesperson said Matthias could not be found for two days, before finding him – as expected – in the changing rooms at half-time during the match.
“His club had already been informed to take his documents to the Police station a day previously, however they failed to do so,” the spokesperson said, who added that Matthias had his visa expired, no extension of stay, and also no working permit.
His visa had allegedly expired in September and now he is expected to be deported. Matthias was signed in October 2008.
Three Gharb football club officials were also charged with employing a foreigner without a valid work permit. The officials – Joseph Cauchi, 38, Louis Apap, 56 and Mario Saliba, 40 – were accused of failing to notify the Employment and Training Corporation of the player’s employment.
Gharb supporters have questioned why their club did not take any steps to rectify the footballer’s employment and visa papers, which is standard practice for every football club.
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