Ten Maltese water polo players and one staff member have been sanctioned by World Aquatics following an investigation into suspicious gambling activity.
During the 2026 European Water Polo Championships in January, the Authority for Integrity in Maltese Sports (AIMS) flagged irregular betting activity, leading to an international investigation involving the World Aquatics Integrity Unit (AQIU) and European Aquatics.
The investigation also involved the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta (ASA), the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Olympic Movement Unit on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions (OM Unit PMC), and AIMS.
AQIU concluded that while there was no evidence of match fixing and that none of the players placed bets on games in which they competed, the 10 players and the coach all breached the World Aquatics Integrity Code by placing online wagers on water polo events while registered as active athletes or personnel.
Note: The AQIU press release says the investigation included 11 players and one coach, not 10, but only 10 players are listed under the suspended persons list in the AQIU database.
The suspensions initially handed out ranged from three to four months, with three athletes receiving fines and two given directives to undergo treatment for gambling addition.
However, some of the bans were reduced, with the remaining portion of the original penalty suspended and only coming into effect if the athlete commits a second breach of the World Aquatics Integrity Code within the next two years.
- Liam Galea – four-month ban reduced to one month, other three months and $750 USD fine come into effect if commits another breach of Integrity Code in next two years
- Jake Tanti –four-month ban reduced to one month, other three months and $1000 USD fine come into effect if commits another breach of Integrity Code in next two years
- Jake Bonavia –four-month ban reduced to one month, other three months and $750 USD fine come into effect if commits another breach of Integrity Code in next two years
- Ben Plumpton – four-month ban reduced to one month, other three months come into effect if commits another breach of Integrity Code in next two years. Must undergo treatment for gambling addiction
- Jeremy Abela –four-month ban reduced to one month, other three months come into effect if commits another breach of Integrity Code in next two years. Must undergo treatment for gambling addiction
- Jacob Saliba – three-month ban, will take effect if commits another breach of Integrity Code in next two years
- Dean Bugeja – three-month ban, will take effect if commits another breach of Integrity Code in next two years
- Aiden Muscat – three-month ban, will take effect if commits another breach of Integrity Code in next two years
- Alec Fenech – three-month ban, will take effect if commits another breach of Integrity Code in next two years
- Kyle Navarro – three-month ban, will take effect if commits another breach of Integrity Code in next two years
- Matthew Pace (staff) – three-month ban, will take effect if commits another breach of Integrity Code in next two years
“In addition to the measures imposed under the World Aquatics Integrity Code, the individuals concerned will participate in educational and awareness initiatives over the next five years, working with the AQIU to strengthen understanding of betting-related integrity risks and contribute to the prevention of future violations across the aquatics community,” AQIU said.
The athletes with suspensions taking immediate effect will be ineligible to take part in their club commitments until their ban expires, according to The Times of Malta.
In its press release, AQIU put out a reminder to athletes and staff about its strict guidelines on the gambling.
“The AQIU reminds all athletes and athlete support personnel that betting on any aquatics discipline is strictly prohibited under the World Aquatics Integrity Code. This prohibition applies regardless of the level of competition and includes both placing bets directly and facilitating betting by others. Athletes participating in the Olympic Games are also prohibited from betting on any Olympic event or competition.”
Malta placed 13th at the European Water Polo Championships, its best ever finish in the event.
