Maltese Fever

There are three things many Maltese would be willing to die for: their family, their political party, and their favourite football team.

The latter is an example of a post-colonial phenomenon, whereby Malta got its independence in 1964, but 42 years later the majority of its inhabitants still support foreign football teams, especially the Italian and England ones.

Maybe it's also because Malta is a small country and the chances of its football ever making it to the World Cup, let alone wining it, are almost nil.

It's also part of Maltese culture to seek ties and enjoyment with foreigners. Award-winning journalist Pierre J. Mejlak has a very personal story to tell linked to the 'Calciopoli' scandal in Italy, where top Italian football executives are being charged of match-fixing together with referees and players.

MaltaMedia's Editor Martin Debattista has interviewed Antoine Busuttil, editor of www.maltafootball.com, on the role of technology in today's game. The interview is published in Martin's blog.

Indeed technology has played an important part even before the games started in Germany as Maltese fans were fuming at the decision of the local cable TV operator Melita Cable to block football matches from Italian broadcasters since it had acquired exclusive rights to air UEFA Champions League matches and eventually World Cup Matches. MaltaMedia News followed the story closely.

MaltaMedia's World Cup-related News Coverage:


World Cup fever in full swing
Jul 5, 2006, 15:52 CET

Contraband World Cup footballs confiscated
May 8, 2006, 17:27 CET

Cassola to mention RAI blockage of football matches
May 23, 2006, 08:33 CET

Melita Cable must leave Italian channels free to air
May 20, 2006, 10:45 CET

Melita Cable ordered not to block Italian channels
Apr 27, 2006, 18:21 CET

World Cup matches to be aired free-to-air
Apr 18, 2006, 10:47 CET

BA announces decision on World Cup matches transmissions
Mar 14, 2006, 22:39 CET

Sports content broadcasting scenario being examined
Mar 4, 2006, 22:39 CET

MCA announces development on TV broadcast content
Feb 25, 2006, 14:58 CET

Melita Cable's acquisition of the World Cup TV rights
Jan 18, 2006, 20:53