Maltese Premier League club Birżebbuga St.Peter's has accused its new owner, British entrepreneur Ketan Makwana, of failing his financial obligations.

Mr Makwana’s Seventy7 Sports investment firm secured a deal to purchase 80 per cent of the newly-promoted club’s shares last April, with Birżebbuġa President Joseph Fenech owning the remaining 20 per cent.

He was also appointed Senior Vice President and CEO.

The club said back then that this takeover marked the start of an ambitious long-term strategy to “transform Birżebbuġa St Peter’s FC into one of the most progressive and commercially innovative football clubs in the Mediterranean region”.

In an interview with the club, Mr Makwana outlined an ambitious vision to internationalise the Birżebbuġa St Peter’s brand, qualify for European competitions and transform the team into “one of the best clubs there will ever be in Maltese football”.

The club then made a statement summer signing in Daishawn Redan, a former Dutch youth international who spent two years at Chelsea’s academy, although a disappointing start to the season has currently left it bottom of the league.    

Birżebbuġa has now warned that Mr Makwana has so far failed to financial obligations towards the club and “fell significantly short” of the commitments and terms established in his initial agreement with the club.

According to Malta Sport, the agreement obliged Mr Makwana to provide around 80 per cent of the club’s finances.

"The Club wishes to reassure its players, supporters and all stakeholders that it is actively taking the necessary steps to safeguard their interests and protect the integrity, stability and future of Birżebbuġa St. Peter’s F.C,” it said.

“The Club remains committed to acting responsibly, transparently and in the best interests of all those associated with it.”

“Upon the advice of its legal counsel, the Club will limit its public comments on this matter to the contents of this statement and will refrain from making any further declarations at this stage.”

Mr Makwana’s investment firm had previously come close to taking over Scottish club Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC and the club’s board had approved a £2.5 million offer for half its shares in July 2024.

However, the deal collapsed, allegedly due to uncertainty over funds, and Inverness subsequently entered administration, suffering a 15-point deduction in the process.