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Dope package addressed to Michael Mifsud's home in Norway...
Mifsud denies knowledge of suspect parcel
Kevin Azzopardi
Malta striker Michael Mifsud, at the centre of a doping controversy after a package addressed to his residence in Norway allegedly contained prohibited substances, strongly denies any involvement in the case.
Norwegian media reported last week that Mifsud had been questioned by police after customs officials in the Scandinavian country intercepted the suspect parcel some time around mid-May.
After closing their investigations into the case, Norwegian police notified
Mifsud and his club Lillestrom that no charges are to be brought against the Malta striker.
Mifsud yesterday broke his silence over the case, telling The Times that he knew nothing about the alleged dope package which has thrust him in the spotlight for the wrong reasons.
"It was last week that I received notice that a package was sent from overseas to my home address in Norway," Mifsud said.
"This was news to me as I was not expecting anything from abroad and I don't know the person who mailed the package."
The 25-year-old Mifsud said he came to know about this suspect package after the police contacted Lillestrom.
"I was totally unaware about the discovery of this package before the police informed my club recently," Mifsud added.
"I went to the police headquarters where I was asked several questions. I was told that the package, originating from Germany, was seized by customs officials some time in May. The package was registered and even bore the name and address of the person who dispatched it.
"The interrogation did not last long and that same day, we received confirmation from the police that, having concluded their probe into the case, they would not press charges against me."
Mifsud, currently enjoying a short break in Malta, said Lillestrom had supported him all the way since this case came to light.
"This whole issue has caused me deep personal distress but Lillestrom have given me all the backing and assistance I needed," Mifsud remarked.
"Such cases inevitably attract a huge deal of attention from the press.
"The Norwegian media were, by and large, fair in their coverage of the story but not so can be said about the reports in some sections of the Maltese press.
"There were many inaccuracies in the reports published here and this made me wonder whether it was done intentionally to hurt my reputation.
"This was not the first time that sections of the local press set out to stain my name but they have always been proven wrong."
Although the Norwegian police announced on Wednesday that Mifsud will not face charges in court, the country's anti-doping body has pledged to launch its own investigation into the case.
Negative dope test
"I can't really say much about this investigation," Mifsud said.
"However, just three weeks ago, I did a dope test after the league match against Stabaek and the result was negative."
A product of the Sliema Wanderers nursery, Mifsud, who has played 39 times for Malta, joined Lillestrom, one of the top clubs in Norway, in the summer of 2004.
Before his move to Norway, Mifsud had rejoined Sliema on a short-term deal following a two-and-a-half year spell with Bundesliga club Kaiserslautern.
A shoulder injury disrupted Mifsud's progress last season but the Malta striker is now fully recovered and has re-asserted himself as one of the most influential players for Lillestrom.
Mifsud scored three goals in 11 league matches so far, was voted player of the match on one occasion and is currently ranked among the top four foreign players in Norwegian football.
His contract with Lillestrom, currently second in the 14-team league, will run out in December.
Dope package addressed to Michael Mifsud's home in Norway...
Mifsud denies knowledge of suspect parcel
Kevin Azzopardi
Malta striker Michael Mifsud, at the centre of a doping controversy after a package addressed to his residence in Norway allegedly contained prohibited substances, strongly denies any involvement in the case.
Norwegian media reported last week that Mifsud had been questioned by police after customs officials in the Scandinavian country intercepted the suspect parcel some time around mid-May.
After closing their investigations into the case, Norwegian police notified
Mifsud and his club Lillestrom that no charges are to be brought against the Malta striker.
Mifsud yesterday broke his silence over the case, telling The Times that he knew nothing about the alleged dope package which has thrust him in the spotlight for the wrong reasons.
"It was last week that I received notice that a package was sent from overseas to my home address in Norway," Mifsud said.
"This was news to me as I was not expecting anything from abroad and I don't know the person who mailed the package."
The 25-year-old Mifsud said he came to know about this suspect package after the police contacted Lillestrom.
"I was totally unaware about the discovery of this package before the police informed my club recently," Mifsud added.
"I went to the police headquarters where I was asked several questions. I was told that the package, originating from Germany, was seized by customs officials some time in May. The package was registered and even bore the name and address of the person who dispatched it.
"The interrogation did not last long and that same day, we received confirmation from the police that, having concluded their probe into the case, they would not press charges against me."
Mifsud, currently enjoying a short break in Malta, said Lillestrom had supported him all the way since this case came to light.
"This whole issue has caused me deep personal distress but Lillestrom have given me all the backing and assistance I needed," Mifsud remarked.
"Such cases inevitably attract a huge deal of attention from the press.
"The Norwegian media were, by and large, fair in their coverage of the story but not so can be said about the reports in some sections of the Maltese press.
"There were many inaccuracies in the reports published here and this made me wonder whether it was done intentionally to hurt my reputation.
"This was not the first time that sections of the local press set out to stain my name but they have always been proven wrong."
Although the Norwegian police announced on Wednesday that Mifsud will not face charges in court, the country's anti-doping body has pledged to launch its own investigation into the case.
Negative dope test
"I can't really say much about this investigation," Mifsud said.
"However, just three weeks ago, I did a dope test after the league match against Stabaek and the result was negative."
A product of the Sliema Wanderers nursery, Mifsud, who has played 39 times for Malta, joined Lillestrom, one of the top clubs in Norway, in the summer of 2004.
Before his move to Norway, Mifsud had rejoined Sliema on a short-term deal following a two-and-a-half year spell with Bundesliga club Kaiserslautern.
A shoulder injury disrupted Mifsud's progress last season but the Malta striker is now fully recovered and has re-asserted himself as one of the most influential players for Lillestrom.
Mifsud scored three goals in 11 league matches so far, was voted player of the match on one occasion and is currently ranked among the top four foreign players in Norwegian football.
His contract with Lillestrom, currently second in the 14-team league, will run out in December.