ABSTRACT
The last time these two sides met was the decider and the final game of the 1997/1998 season. Spectators witnessed a 1-0 victory for Valletta, who thus retained the title, to the wild delight of their supporters. Scores were also settled off the field of play. Hours before the game, cavalcades of Valletta supporters drove through Birkirkara on their way to the national stadium abusing residents. After the match, an exchange of bottle throwing took place outside the McDonald’s burger outlet located beneath the Birkirkara supporters’ clubhouse. Shotguns were fired into the air by locals to warn off the visiting aggressors. Police made dozens of arrests, mostly Valletta fans who had taken this opportunity to taunt and confront their challengers, who had yet to win local honour in their 50-year footballing history.
