Sliema residents are dreading the carcades that will inevitably accompany the forthcoming World Cup football matches.
The Sliema Residents Association said yesterday that, judging from past experience, it was apprehensive about what the football tournament, starting next month, would bring with it. It said supporters would tour Sliema at the end of a match, honking their car horns, making a racket and "posing a threat" on the roads to the detriment of residents and passers-by.
Residents, the association argued, had a right to enjoy peace and quiet in their own homes and a safe environment in their neighbourhood.
Its comments brought a reaction by football fans online, with many saying the association should lighten up.
"When the Nationalists win the election and their football or waterpolo teams win, Sliema residents are the first ones to go out carcading. I found the SRA's statement banal and I can't understand why it is saying this now," said Marvin Spagnol, an avid England fan.
He said he was all for having some form of police presence in the locality to maintain order, however, they should not intervene to stop people from honking their horns or other such minor "infringements", just as they did not intervene during village feasts unless a fight or some other form of trouble started.
But Nyal Xuereb is more sympathetic to the association's stand. He said the carcades were one of the main reasons why he had moved out of the town's Qui-Si-Sana area.
He said: "The first year I moved there, I experienced the carcades during the 2006 World Cup. I couldn't even get my car out of its parking space because of the traffic. The noise also went on till 4 a.m. and even beyond. During the 2008 general election, my wife and I actually went to Gozo to avoid the noise and chaos. I've taken part in carcades myself before but I respect people, unlike some others."
The Times sent questions to the police to establish its policy on the matter and whether they intended to take preventative action following the SRA's complaint. The questions remained unanswered by the time of writing.