Fyodor Zammit and Trustin Farrugia Cann, two of the younger referees members of the MFRA , were invited to take part in the week long Milk Cup in Northern Ireland recently.Their participation was made possible after the MFA Referees Board accepted the invitation to the two referees sent by the organizers of the Cup.

Fyodor and Trustin were naturally excited as this was the first time that they had participated in such a tournament and they, therefore, learnt the way appointments are made at tournaments and the friendship one can strike up with Irish and other referees from different countries. These young members did us proud as they were entrusted with matches from the three categories Under 15, Under 17 and Under 19. The youth teams from various countries such as England, Denmark, Qatar and Norway entertained the crowds present at the matches.                                                                                                                             

Another aspect that left a very good impression on Fyodor and Trustin is that they were taken on cultural tours, they visited the families of the local referees and were even invited to dinner in the homes of the referees. This is where they exchanged mementoes and told stories about their experiences in maltese football. This was another first for Fyodor and Trustin as never before did they mix so  freely with colleagues and their families.

An interesting article entitled ‘ Maltese Sweet on Milk Cup’ in the supplement of a local newspaper gave a short account of the two members and their developing careers. Again this was another novelty for them. Fyodor says that when he picked up the newspaper and read the article he was excited and was longing to show it to his family. Trustin , being rather shy, got red in the face and then happily showed it to other referees and members of the Maltese Under 17 team which was also taking part in the Cup.

In a letter to the MFA Referees Board the organizers of the Milk Cup called Fyodor and Trustin ‘true ambassadors of Malta’ and were so impressed by their performance that they have already said they would invite them again next year