Employer Bodies Say Cannabis has No Role to Play in Youth Football

Employers’ associations within the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development, including Malta Employers, The Malta Chamber, Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association, and Malta Chamber of SMEs, have called for the immediate withdrawal of a sponsorship agreement between a children’s football programme and the Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis.

In a joint statement, the associations strongly condemned the decision, describing it as “a serious error of judgment.” They argued that children’s sport should embody discipline, health, self-control, ambition and clean living, and should not be linked in any way to cannabis or institutions associated with its use.

The associations said that any such connection — whether direct or indirect — sends “the wrong, confusing and unacceptable message,” warning that no social objective can justify blurring the line between youth development and substances that should not be normalised among children.

They stressed that sport should encourage young people to adopt healthy lifestyles and not create associations that could undermine that message. Drawing comparisons with past efforts to remove cigarette and alcohol sponsorships from sport, the groups said the same principle must apply consistently.

“Cannabis is not a symbol of health, discipline or performance. Football is,” the statement said, adding that the two should never be associated, particularly in programmes involving children.

The associations called for the sponsorship to be dismantled immediately and replaced with support from entities that reflect the values of youth sport and responsible social leadership. They concluded that children, parents and sport itself “deserve better,” and that sporting environments must remain clear of mixed messaging.