Contrary to Argentinian media reports, Malta won’t play against Argentina

Sources close to the Malta Football Association denied a report on Mundo Albiceleste quoting Fox Sport (Argentina) which said that the Maltese national team was a potential opponent of the Argentinian national team, after the decision taken by Argentinian Football Association to cancel their friendly match against Israel. 

Fox Sports in Argentina reported that the AFA are  working on trying to find an opponent for Saturday and four countries have been mentioned. San Marino, Malta, Moldova and Liechtenstein are the countries being rumoured.

Argentina, a major contender to win the World cup this summer, has made four previous pre-World Cup visits to Israel since 1986. The fixture between the two teams was set to be played in Jerusalem’s Teddy Stadium on June 9, which is built on land that was once a Palestinian village that was destroyed in 1948.

The head of the Palestinian Football Association, Jibril Rajoub, told a press conference that the decision was “on the right track”.

“I think this is according to FIFA statutes and according to their principles and mission to promote ethics and values, and to build a bridge between nations rather than being a tool for political ends,” he said, adding: “the Israelis tried to use Messi and those stars from Argentina.”