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So Wednesday morning the talk of the town was all about Tuesday’s match at Ta’ Qali, about the large crowd that attended and participated, and a thousand more related topics. All or almost all radio stations were ablast. Numerous patriots were scandalised after having seen thousands of Maltese cheering the AC Milan side against the local side Birkirkara. I happen to have been one of those several thousands.
I have been in love and following the rossoneri side for the past 40 years. You can easily say that a football passion or any other passion of any other sort is probably one of the few things that never changes with old age. And thank God for that. At the age of 46 one can behave like a little schoolboy without having to be ashamed of it. It’s fun... great fun. But alas, some scrupulous ‘patriots’ found it scandalising that I and many other thousands supported the Italian side against the Maltese side. How can anyone ask me to switch off for 90 minutes a love that has lasted 40 years, a passion that has given me so many turbulent ups and downs? Had the Italian giants taken up the Maltese national squad, that would have been a totally different scenario, since the love for the national flag was born with me, but frankly, no matter how hard I try I cannot find a shred of feeling for the yellow/red striped shirts, without missing out on respect.
This has nothing to do with patriotism. Having said that, I am a Floriana supporter, and would surely have sided for Floriana had the greens been on the pitch. But there again, I have another stumbling block. Most of the boys wearing the yellow/red striped shirts last Tuesday night wore the greens’ shirt up until a little while ago. I am sure they would still be sporting green had the Floriana side not found itself in dire straits financially, and vultures with stacks of cash in hand lured its star-studded side to wear their colours. I cannot find reason to blame any of the officials for their actions, but I surely cannot look upon any of the boys with a kind eye. Their actions were at their worst, the actions of Judas, who betrayed the Christ for a few silver coins.
And finally, I would like to draw the attention of the so called sports journalists to modify their terms and stop calling the local boys amateurs. They are highly paid and pampered boys who behave and perform amateurishly. And please let’s start calling a spade a spade. The results we achieve whenever we play against a foreign side, be it the Amazon Rovers or the Corsican Tigers, do justice to my argument. How about the journalists start being open with their followers and stop being so pathetic?
Tony Ellul
Naxxar
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