Unfair competition (1)

By all means let Hard Rock Hallelujah, Finland's metal band Lordi's presentation, be crowned winner of this year's Eurovision Song Contest. It's a reflection of some European countries' grotesque tastes and "return-to-the-wild" nostalgia. No more, no less!

Italy, our closest neighbour in culture and in affinity, has done well to keep aloof, once again, from such thrash and petty quibbling and Malta may finally learn from its bitter experience by following suit and opting out of a non-event.

We have no place for hidden agendas or marriages of convenience with neighbouring countries - indeed, even if we wanted them, we haven't any left, now! Yet, we should never condone such unfair practices.

But Greece and Cyprus, participants from the Iberian peninsula, representatives of Balkan and Scandinavian countries, Russia and its former satellites as well as others - the list is long - may not share this opinion. Meritocracy and fair play have yet to feature on their agenda.

Malta's rising stars stand alone, bravely battling against odds in a "festival" that smacks of undue favouritism, low achievement, excessive lobbying and a clannish mentality that spills beyond the confines of European Union standards.

We, Maltese, insulars but more prone to accept defeat if that is what we deserve, appreciate our talented and charismatic Fabrizio Faniello's high spirits, his untiring efforts and the fact that he did his best, giving a much better performance than some renderings by fellow singers in the same festival. No need is felt to single out the latter for my intention is not to belittle anyone.

I wish Fabrizio well and know we stand four square behind him in spite of his unjust placing.

The results speak volumes and are in themselves an eye-opener that should spur us to limit this nonsense to a minimum, for this is not the first time that we have come across this blatant discrimination and barefaced preferential treatment!

Nonetheless, year in, year out, the European Song Contest organisers seem to stand helpless notwithstanding this downright breach of ethics and shameful bias.

Our Mary Spiteri, Chiara and Ira Losco failed to gain first place due to this so-called good-neighbourly "exchange of votes" between a good number of participating countries. The Republic of Macedonia's absurd vote cost Chiara a merited first placing. Who can deny that?

There is no other excuse irrespective of what travel agents and business-minded promoters may think of the issue.

Fair competition my foot!