Maria Azzopardi has been appointed as the new Malta Football Association (FA) General Secretary as of 1st January 2025.

This decision was announced during the Malta FA Executive Board meeting that took place on Tuesday (today).

She will replace Angelo Chetcuti, who formally communicated his intention to step down from the role during the General Assembly in October.

According to a Malta FA statement, as a football player, Dr Azzopardi represented Rabat Ajax FC, Melita FC and Hibernians FC, being named Malta FA Player of the Year in the 2003/04 season. She also earned 33 caps for the Malta Women's National Team from 2005 to 2017.

She was elected Vice President of the Malta FA in March 2024, the first female to occupy this role. She will retain this position temporarily, however, she will forfeit voting powers as she occupies the full-time role of General Secretary, added the statement.

Dr Azzopardi has a Doctorate in Law and a Master in Sports Law from De Montfort Leicester University. She is a seasoned sports lawyer and has experience working in the legal teams of several institutions.

In her new role, Dr Azzopardi will be assisted by Rodney Pisani, who has been appointed Deputy General Secretary.

Mr Pisani has worked at the Malta FA since 2006, initially starting his career in the Registrations Department. He has prior experience as Deputy General Secretary, having served in the role in 2010, then being tasked with handling competitions. He retained that role until 2020, before becoming Director of Football Services at the Association.

Dr Azzopardi is looking forward to taking up the post, saying she is “honoured and pleased to be appointed as the General Secretary of the Malta FA.”

“I am committed to serving our members with the same dedication and integrity I have always demonstrated, striving to repay the trust placed in me. Inspired by the strong foundations and good practices established by my predecessor, I am motivated to build on this legacy while upholding the values and passion that have guided my career and shaped my journey in football,” she added.

President Bjorn Vassallo congratulated Dr Azzopardi, saying "the role of General Secretary is critical for the diligent running of the Association. I am convinced that [Dr Azzopardi] is best placed to fill this post. She has the right profile and experience to retain the stability needed for the Association to continue moving forward.”

Mr Vassallo also congratulated Mr Pisani on his appointment. "[Mr Pisani] is a long-standing stalwart within the administration of the Association. He will certainly provide good support and expertise through his extensive experience and strong relationship with our members," he said.

Finally, the President, on behalf of the Executive Board and the entire Association, expressed his appreciation towards outgoing General Secretary Angelo Chetcuti.

"[Dr Chetcuti] has served admirably with utmost professionalism and dedication. I would like to thank him for his immense contribution throughout these past eight years in which he proved to be an important pillar in the administration of the Association," he remarked.