Jean Claude Micallef has resigned from his position as CEO of the Maltese Sports Integrity Authority, just three months after his appointment.

In a statement on Wednesday (today), Mr Micallef expressed his regret over the decision. “With regret, I have just submitted my resignation letter as Chief Executive of the Maltese Sports Integrity Authority. I remain committed to being available to the Maltese sporting community, as I always have been.”

His departure follows reports of a breakdown in his relationship with the authority’s seven-member board - tensions that reportedly began shortly after his appointment in December and escalated in recent weeks.

Earlier on the same day, sports minister Clifton Grima refused to accept the resignations of the authority’s chairman, Antonio Mizzi, and its secretary, Frank Camilleri, further highlighting internal friction.

The strained relationship between Mr Micallef and the board intensified after it was evealed that Mr Micallef had engaged a banned footballer to work with the authority and was also facing financial issues, with debtors chasing him for unpaid money.

Despite his resignation, Mr Micallef has affirmed his ongoing support for the local sports community as he steps away from his role.