It was a goal that through the Maltese football scene. In the dying minutes of the final match of the BOV Premier League, Floriana’s Amadou Mbengue found the back of the net, handing his team the title in dramatic fashion. But was it a legitimate goal, or a controversial moment that will forever taint Floriana’s triumph?

The incident occurred at the Ta’ Qali National Stadium, with Floriana trailing Hibernians 2-1. In the 93rd minute, a long throw-in from Mbengue was launched towards the Hibernians’ box. The ball sailed over the defenders, bounced once, and nestled into the net. Cue pandemonium among the Floriana fans, while Hibernians were left bewildered, claiming the goal should never have stood.

The controversy stems from the fact that Mbengue, a towering figure, appeared to have thrown the ball with his hand, rather than using his foot. The referee, however, allowed the goal to stand, sparking a fierce debate among fans, pundits, and even politicians.

“It was a clear handball,” fumed Hibernians’ coach Mark Miller. “I’ve seen it a hundred times on the replay. It’s a disgrace that this is how Floriana won the league.” Floriana’s coach, on the other hand, was jubilant. “We played our hearts out,” he said. “If the referee saw no infringement, then we deserve this title.”

The controversy has even reached the halls of Parliament. Opposition MP Jason Azzopardi called for an inquiry, claiming that the integrity of Maltese football was at stake. “This is not about Floriana or Hibernians,” he said. “It’s about setting a precedent that cheating will not be tolerated.” Government Minister Konrad Mizzi, however, was more circumspect. “Let’s not forget, Floriana won the league on the pitch,” he said. “But if there’s evidence of wrongdoing, we must investigate.”

In Floriana, the atmosphere is one of jubilation. Fans have taken to the streets, celebrating their team’s first league title in 30 years. “We’ve waited so long for this,” said one ecstatic fan, waving a Floriana flag. “If they say it was a handball, so what? We won fair and square.”

Contrast this with the mood in Paola, where Hibernians are based. Fans are livid, accusing Floriana of cheating and the referee of incompetence. “This is a dark day for Maltese football,” said one disgruntled fan. “We were robbed of the title.”

As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: this goal will be remembered as a pivotal moment in Maltese football history. Whether it’s celebrated as a miraculous victory or decried as a cheating scandal, the Green Wave has certainly made its mark on the 2021-22 season.