Maheta Molango

Maheta Molango

Personal information
Full name	Maheta Matteo Molango
Date of birth	(1982-07-24) 24 July 1982 (age 42)
Place of birth	Saint-Imier, Switzerland
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	Sampdoria (counselor)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2003–2004	Atlético Madrid
	SV Wacker Burghausen	5	(0)
2004–2007	Brighton & Hove Albion	6	(1)
2005–2006	→ Lincoln City (loan)	10	(0)
2006	→ UB Conquense (loan)	8	(0)
2006	→ Oldham Athletic (loan)	5	(1)
2006	→ Wrexham (loan)	3	(0)
2007	Grays Athletic	2	(0)
	UB Conquense
2009–2010	Villanueva del Pardillo
2010–2015	Unión Adarve
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Maheta Matteo Molango (born 24 July 1982) is a Swiss-born sports executive and former professional footballer. He was born in Saint-Imier, Switzerland, he is an Italian citizen, born to a Congolese father and Italian mother.

He became the Chief Executive of the Professional Footballers' Association for England and Wales on 1 June 2021, replacing Gordon Taylor. ^[1]

Career

Molango began his professional career at Atletico Madrid when he was aged 18, following a successful trial with the club he signed a two-year professional contract. ^[2] Molango signed a three-year contract with Brighton & Hove Albion, after impressing then-manager Mark McGhee during a two-week trial for the club in the summer of 2004, shortly after being released by SV Wacker Burghausen in Germany. ^[3] His career at Brighton got off to a quick start, scoring a goal just 12 seconds into his debut versus Reading at Madejski Stadium. Despite his early goal, Brighton fell 3–2. ^[4] Shortly after, Molango had a falling out with McGhee and after six total appearances, would not make another appearance in the 2004–05 season.

In the summer of 2005, Brighton allowed Molango to pursue a move elsewhere. After a successful trial with Lincoln City, ^[5] Keith Alexander signed Molango on 3 August on a season-long loan. ^[6] He scored his first and only goal for Lincoln in a 5-1 League Cup victory over Crewe Alexandra on 23 August 2005. ^[7] In December 2005, while still at Lincoln City, Brighton informed Molango that he did not have a future with the Seagulls. ^[8] After being sent back to Brighton by Keith Alexander, he again went on loan, this time to UB Conquense for the remainder of the 2005–06 season. ^[9] He debuted for the club in their 1-1 Segunda División B home draw with UD Almansa on 29 January 2006 and went on to make eight league appearances for the club without finding the net. ^[10]

At the start of the 2006–07 season, Molango went on loan to League One side Oldham Athletic on a month's loan. ^[11] On 12 August 2006, he scored his only goal for the Latics in a 1–0 win over Swansea City. ^[12] After six appearances and one goal for the club, Oldham decided not to renew his loan. ^[13]

After returning to Brighton, Molango was given another chance under manager Dean Wilkins ^[14] after Jake Robinson fell to an illness. ^[15] However, Brighton lost to Carlisle United 3–1. ^[16] Molango failed to impress Wilkins in the loss, who loaned him out to Wrexham the following week on a one-month loan. ^[17] At Wrexham, Molango earned four starts including one in the FA Cup. However, his loan again was unrenewed, effectively sending him back to Brighton. ^[18] After failing to make any more first-team appearances, Brighton and Molango agreed to part ways several months before his three-year contract was set to expire. ^[19]

The day after ending his career with Brighton, Molango signed with Conference National side Grays Athletic until the end of the 2006–07 season. However, after just two league appearances for the Essex club, he was released after just a month. ^[20]

As a player, his last team was Unión Adarve in group one of the Preferente de Madrid. ^[21]

Molango represented Congo Under-21s, making six appearances for the team.

Legal career

Following his release from Grays Athletic, he returned to Spain, trialling with Albacete Balompié in March 2007, ^[22] UD Las Palmas in July 2007 ^[23] and Lucena CF in August 2007. ^[24]

Having obtained a LL.B and B.A. Political Science from Charles III University of Madrid, he joined the employment law department of the Madrid office of Baker & McKenzie in April 2007. ^[25] Molango is a specialist in employment and sports law and was part of the Baker McKenzie Advisory Board. In January 2008 he moved to the United States to study for the LL.M program in International Legal Studies at the American University Washington College of Law graduating in 2009 whilst also being the recipient of the college's Rubin Scholarship. ^[25] Returning to Madrid and Baker & McKenzie, he played part-time football in the 2009–10 season for FC Villanueva del Pardillo in group one of the Preferente before moving on to join their divisional counterparts Unión Adarve for the 2010–2011 season. He passed the New York bar examination in 2011. ^[26]

Molango was seconded to Atlético Madrid in 2015, where he served as legal counsel. In his time at Atlético Madrid he focused on contract and transfer negotiations and within two transfer windows helped oversee 30 deals, including the sale of Mario Mandžukić to Juventus, Filipe Luís’ return from Chelsea, Yannick Carrasco’s switch from Monaco and Antoine Griezmann’s new deal. ^[26]

Fluent in English, Spanish, French, Italian and German, Maheta was twice named one of the best sports lawyers in Spain by international rankings company Chambers and Partners. ^[27]

RCD Mallorca

He was appointed the Chief Executive of RCD Mallorca in 2016 following the takeover by former NBA star Steve Nash and Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver. His four years at RCD Mallorca saw the club achieve back-to-back promotions from Segunda División B to La Liga. ^[28]

FIFA

Molango was appointed Director of FIFA’s Diploma in Club management programme, which commenced in March 2021. ^[29] In the role, he helps train executives, with speakers ranging from Arsène Wenger to Fabio Cannavaro. ^[30]

Professional Footballers' Association

From 1 June 2021, Molango was appointed as the Chief Executive of the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) for England and Wales. ^[31]

PFA and Premier League Funding Agreement

In May 2023, the PFA and the Premier League announced a new five-year partnership.

The agreement saw an uplift in funding to help support the wide range of services the players’ union provides to its members across the professional game at all stages of their careers, including, enhanced focus on player welfare and support, community initiatives and coaching programmes to increase diversity in the workforce, greater support for Academy players, mental health support, education for careers after playing and medical research.

The five-year partnership is the longest agreement that has existed between the PFA and the Premier League.

Women's Football

The PFA outlined details of reforms to contracts in the women’s game in February 2022. Following negotiations with The FA, the PFA achieved three significant policy changes relating to maternity provision, injury and illness and the termination of contracts due to long term injury. The changes will apply to players in the Women's Super League (WSL) and the Women's Championship. ^[32]

Molango spoke at the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in September 2023 where he highlighted the current lack of security around the contracts and conditions of female professionals. He also called for the immediate implementation of structures, which already exist in the men’s game, to better protect players. ^[33]

PFA Business School

In January 2022, Molango unveiled the PFA's ambitious initiative, the PFA Business School. The project, led by experts from the world of football, sport, and beyond, is designed to enable players to acquire new skills, discover their potential and unlock new career opportunities within the industry. ^[34]

Fast forward to September 2023, and the PFA Business School launched seven specialised programmes focusing on sectors such as Global Football Business Management, Psychology, Emotional Intelligence and Leadership, Football Data Analytics, Communication, and Media. The courses are delivered by renowned figures from world football, including Gary Neville, Andoni Zubizarreta, Giorgio Furlani, Hope Powell and Steve Parish. All the courses are designed for the busy schedules of current players and working professionals, employing a flexible approach, blending online learning with in-person seminars. ^[35]

PFA Awards

In August 2023, Molango presided over a significant revamp of the PFA Awards, celebrating its 50th anniversary. This milestone event, hosted by Alex Scott and Jules Breach, introduced a fresh format and marked the first time the Awards were held outside of London, finding a new home at the Lowry Theatre in Salford. The winners on the night included Erling Haaland of Manchester City, Rachel Daly of Aston Villa, Bukayo Saka of Arsenal, and Lauren James of Chelsea. The star-studded affair attracted icons past and present from the world of football, including Reuben Dias, Martin Ødegaard, Bunny Shaw, Alan Shearer and Jill Scott. ^[36]

Brain Health

In September 2021, Molango pledged to donate his brain as part of a concussion initiative which will research Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy and other consequences of brain trauma in athletes. ^[37]

It was announced in October 2021 that Molango and the PFA were calling on football stakeholders to establish an industry-wide care fund to support players living with dementia and other neurodegenerative conditions. ^[38]

In February 2022, Molango, working closely with Dawn Astle, announced the creation of a dedicated Brain Health department focused on neurodegenerative diseases within football. It is the first of its kind in world football. The department is now led by Dr Adam White, a renowned research leader in sports, medicine and health. ^[39]

In September 2023, it was announced that the PFA and the Premier League would launch a new Brain Health Fund. An initial £1 million has been made available to assist former players and their families who have been impacted by dementia and other neurodegenerative conditions. ^[40]

FIFPRO

In January 2023, Molango joined the Global and European Boards of FIFPRO, the Global Players’ Union. Molango joins an 18-person Board, which carries the responsibility of representing over 66,000 professional footballers from across Africa, Asia/Oceania, Central and North America, South America and Europe. ^[41]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition ^[42]

Club	Years	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Brighton & Hove Albion	2004–2005	Championship	5	1	0	0	1	0	—		6	1
	2005–2006	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	2006–2007	League One	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
	Total		6	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	7	1
Lincoln City (loan)	2005–2006	League Two	10	0	1	0	2	1	1 [lower-alpha 1]	0	14	1
Oldham Athletic (loan)	2006–2007	League One	5	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	6	1
Wrexham (loan)	2006–2007	League Two	3	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
Grays Athletic	2006–2007 [43]	Conference National	2	0	0	0	—		2 [lower-alpha 2]	0	4	0
Total			26	2	2	0	4	1	3	0	35	3

1. Appearance in Football League Trophy
2. Appearances in FA Trophy

References

1. "Maheta Molango begins tenure as PFA chief executive as he replaces Gordon Taylor". Sky Sports. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
2. Buckingham, Philip. "PFA chief Molango: 'Mee, Coady, Pogba - they're smart and care... players want a say on the direction the game's taking'". The Athletic. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
3. "Molango Signs for Albion". Brighton & Hove Albion. 17 November 2004. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2008.
4. "Reading 3-2 Brighton". BBC Sport. 7 August 2004. Retrieved 26 December 2008.
5. "Imps keen to sign striker Molango". BBC Sport. 27 June 2005. Retrieved 26 December 2008.
6. "Lincoln sign Molango and Robinson". BBC Sport. 3 August 2005. Retrieved 26 December 2008.
7. "Lincoln City 5-1 Crewe". BBC Sport. 25 August 2005. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
8. Naylor, Andy (10 December 2005). "Molango has no future". Newsquest Media Group Newspapers. Retrieved 26 December 2008.
9. "Wingers must stand up and be counted". The Argus. 13 January 2006. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
10. "Maheta Molango at the Historical Spanish Soccer Database". BD Futbol. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
11. "Latics borrow Howarth and Molango". BBC Sport. 4 August 2006. Retrieved 26 December 2008.
12. "Oldham 1-0 Swansea". BBC Sport. 12 August 2006. Retrieved 26 December 2008.
13. "Howarth and Molango exit Boundary Park". Oldham Athletic. 4 September 2006. Retrieved 26 December 2008.
14. Dudding, Tim (23 October 2006). "Matchday Team News at Carlisle". Brighton & Hove Albion. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2008.
15. Dudding, Tim (23 October 2006). "Wilkins: Players Must Take Responsibility". Brighton & Hove Albion. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2008.
16. "Carlisle 3-1 Brighton". BBC Sport. 23 October 2006. Retrieved 26 December 2008.
17. "Wrexham welcome Brighton striker". BBC Sport. 2 November 2006. Retrieved 26 December 2008.
18. "Kevin To Sign For Second Month". Wrexham FC. 1 December 2006. Archived from the original on 3 October 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2008.
19. Dudding, Tim (1 February 2007). "Maheta Moves On". Brighton & Hove Albion. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2008.
20. "GAFC News". Grays Athletic. 5 March 2007. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 26 December 2008.
21. "Maheta Molango 2010-2011 season statistics". Futbol Esta.com. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
22. "Según Ferrando, el Alba puedo derrotar al Almería si llega vivo al final del partido". La Tribuna de Albacete. 17 March 2007. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
23. "Las Palmas probará al congoleño con pasaporte italiano Molango". Marca. 31 July 2007. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
24. "El Lucena ficha al congoleño Molango y negocia con Daniel García Lara". Marca. 16 August 2007. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
25. Maheta Molango (15 September 2009). "Property Right during Armed Conflict: Application of Adopting Principles of International Humanitarian Law by the European Court of Human Rights" (PDF). Washington College of Law ILSP Law Journal. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 December 2009. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
26. "Gordon Taylor vows to offer PFA replacement Maheta Molango full support". The Independent. 29 March 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
27. "Meet The Team". www.thepfa.com. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
28. LoRé, Michael. "RCD Mallorca's Rise To La Liga". Forbes. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
29. https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/1990cb1122555dae/original/hmphjhe3kkntg6bxoese-pdf.pdf ^{[ bare URL PDF ]}
30. "Gordon Taylor endorses PFA successor Maheta Molango". Sky Sports. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
31. "Meet new PFA CEO Maheta Molango", PFA. Retrieved 7 July 2021
32. McElwee, Molly (1 February 2022). "Professional female footballers given increased job security in 'landmark' changes". The Telegraph. ISSN   0307-1235 . Retrieved 24 February 2022.
33. Ewing, Lori (12 September 2023). "PFA asking trades unions to support equal rights for England women's players". Reuters. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
34. "PFA Launches Innovative Business School to Develop Next Generation of Leaders in Football Management".
35. Joyce, Paul (4 October 2023). "PFA helps players go back to school to prepare for life after football". ISSN   0140-0460 . Retrieved 4 October 2023.
36. Hirst, Paul (4 October 2023). "Erling Haaland and Rachel Daly win 2023 PFA Player of the Year awards". ISSN   0140-0460 . Retrieved 4 October 2023.
37. "Maheta Molango and John Mousinho to support Concussion Legacy Project's 'brain bank'". Sky Sports. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
38. Roddy, Tom. "Football bodies set to agree dementia care fund". The Times . ISSN   0140-0460 . Retrieved 24 February 2022.
39. "PFA to create dedicated former player care department for neurodegenerative disease". The PFA.
40. "Brain health fund launched by PFA & Premier League". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
41. "Maheta Molango: "FIFPRO is more powerful when it uses the voice of the players better"". FIFPRO.
42. "The English National Football Archive". www.enfa.co.uk. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
43. "Statistics: Grays Athletic". www.graysath-online.com. Retrieved 17 March 2021.

External links

• Maheta Molango at Soccerbase
• Maheta Molango at ESPN FC
• Grays Athletic profile