A Premier League footballer has been arrested and is being held in custody after allegedly attempting to bribe a Gżira United player ahead of last Saturday’s FA Trophy final against Valletta.

The final, played at the National Stadium, ended with Valletta securing a 2-1 victory over Gżira United.

According to information obtained, a Gżira United player reported to club officials that he had been approached by another footballer, who is not registered with Valletta FC, and was allegedly offered money to influence the outcome of the match.

The identity of the suspect has not yet been officially confirmed.

Following the report made by their player, Gżira United immediately informed the Malta FA Integrity Officer, with Valletta FC also cooperating fully once the allegations emerged.

An internal integrity investigation was launched by the Malta FA before the case was referred to the police, who subsequently took charge of the investigation.

Over the past days, investigators gathered evidence and questioned both the Gżira United player involved and officials connected to the case.

On Wednesday, police arrested the player suspected of making the alleged bribe offer. He was interrogated and remains in custody while investigations continue.

Authorities are now assessing whether sufficient evidence exists for criminal charges related to match-fixing offences to be filed in court.

The case marks the second match-fixing investigation involving Maltese football this year.

Earlier this year, police investigated claims by Mosta FC players who alleged they had been approached before a Premier League match against Naxxar Lions and offered financial inducements intended to influence the result of the game, which Mosta eventually lost 5-0.

Those allegations reportedly involved a football intermediary linked to the recruitment of foreign players for Maltese clubs.

Meanwhile, in March, defender Jurgen Pisani was sentenced to 15 months in prison after being found guilty of offering a bribe to former Birkirkara player Maxuell Maia during a Premier League fixture in 2024.