30/05/2026
STATEMENT FROM FALCONS RFC
Throughout the 2025/26 Maltese Rugby Championship season, Falcons RFC has remained committed to supporting Maltese rugby, fulfilling its fixtures and placing the interests of the game and player welfare at the forefront of every decision.
This season has unfortunately been marked by repeated fixture postponements and ongoing pitch availability issues, largely resulting from weather disruption and unsuitable playing conditions. These challenges have created significant fixture congestion, leaving Falcons RFC with three outstanding league fixtures and insufficient available weekends to complete the schedule in a practical and responsible manner.
In an effort to assist in resolving this situation, Falcons RFC proposed a single playoff fixture against Wolves RFC, scheduled for 30 May, as a fair and constructive solution to address the fixture backlog and determine league outcomes.
Since that agreement, however, circumstances have materially changed.
The Malta national team successfully qualified for an international promotion playoff on 23 May, with Falcons RFC contributing six players to the national squad, reflecting our clubโs continued commitment to Maltese rugby at the highest level.
In addition, on 9 May, Falcons RFC participated in a cup fixture played on a pitch whose condition had previously been raised as a safety concern with the MRFU. That match unfortunately resulted in several serious injuries, including season-ending injuries.
With national team commitments continuing, including Malta 7s preparations and participation in an international tournament ahead of Rugby Europe competition, Falcons RFC formally requested that the playoff fixture be postponed until national duty had concluded and suitable playing conditions could be guaranteed.
Our request was made solely with player welfare, fairness and the core values of rugby in mind.
While we respect the position of all parties involved, we are disappointed that no compromise has been reached and that the MRFU has chosen not to intervene despite holding responsibility for fixture scheduling and governance.
We believe this situation merits broader reflection and a formal review of fixture scheduling processes, pitch standards and player welfare safeguards to help ensure Maltese rugby moves forward stronger and better prepared in future seasons.
With regard to the fixture scheduled for 30 May, Falcons RFCโs position remains unchanged.
We maintain that proceeding with this fixture under the current circumstances is inconsistent with the principles of player welfare, duty of care and responsible fixture management.
Following a season affected by disruption, unsuitable playing conditions, serious injuries and ongoing national team commitments, Falcons RFC cannot justify exposing its players to further avoidable risk.
We have sought constructive solutions and reasonable compromise in the interests of the competition, our players and Maltese rugby as a whole. Unfortunately, those efforts have not resulted in a resolution that adequately addresses these concerns.
Accordingly, Falcons RFC will not participate in the fixture scheduled for 30 May and therefore concedes the match.
This decision has not been taken lightly. It reflects our responsibility to protect our players and our belief that player welfare must remain non-negotiable.
Falcons RFC remains committed to constructive dialogue and to working toward meaningful improvements in fixture management, pitch standards and governance for the benefit of Maltese rugby moving forward.
