The cover story of the May edition of the World Soccer Magazine presents a compilation of football's 100 most influential people. At the top there is Sepp Blatter, it includes Michel Platini, Roman Abramovich, Silvio Berlusconi, Franz Beckenbauer, Rupert Murdoch, Ramon Calderon, Joan Laporta, Kaka, Ronaldinho, Peter Kenyon, Adriano Galliani, Massimo Moratti and...Joe Mifsud.
Dr Mifsud, the MFA's president was hailed as "one of only two men representing the interests of Europe's smaller nations on the UEFA executive committee. Voted out of the FIFA executive in 2004 but retains an influence on a personal level beyond the size of his ‘constituency'".
In my view, like him or hate him, such an endorsement is an achievement for Malta and the Maltese.
Violence
I hate violence. I don't like violence in sports. Sports, in my view should be a festival of colour and joy. I am one of those who love a good game. My moods swing according to the results of my favourite teams. However I try to keep the spirit of sport.
Recently, as one of the commentators on this blog pointed out, there was an incident at the Centenary Stadium, (where a referee was hit) which I am sure the relevant authorities are investigating. I am writing this just to condemn violence, be it physical or otherwise. If I won't comment further is just due to my belief that commenting and giving importance to violence or any misbehaviour will lead to a celebration of the culprit.
Not long ago, I read a comment by Clarence Seedorf on racism who rightly said: "I haven't really seen any change in behaviour despite all the media attention on the issue in the football environment. We should all pay more attention to the positive things not the negative."
I will try to keep this space for a celebration of all that is positive in sport and ignore those who use sport as a backdrop to behave badly. Yet again, violence should stay out of sports.
Politics
Just like politics. I believe that politics should stay out of sports. I am not referring to the local scenario. I am referring to the international scene where sports get into political controversies due to nationalistic interests. I read that Muslim groups told Chelsea's two Israelis to stay home when the English club visit Malaysia in July. Malaysia is mainly Muslim and has no ties with Israel. The article said that Israelis are normally barred from entering the country. I think this is simple fundamentalism. These groups (over 20) said that if the Israeli footballers (basically coach Grant and midfielder Tal Ben Haim) are allowed to enter the country, the government of Malaysia will be seen as insensitive to the feelings of Palestinian victims of Israeli "ethnic cleansing and atrocities". I just hope that common sense prevails. Let sport celebrate difference rather than emphasise divergence.
England's European Cup
England might be out of Euro 2008, but this year's European Champions will be an English club. It's ironic that while the National Team failed to qualify for this year's tournament, England will field two clubs in the Champion's League final. Three Premier League clubs were in this year's semis just like last year. This is a confirmation, if any was needed, of the strengths of the Premier League, which has become a power house in term of spectacle and also in the money.
Manchester United have qualified for the final after a 1-0 victory against Barcelona. A goal scored by Scholes, United's ever green prolific goal scorer, who reminded me so much of Inzaghi in terms of the amount of decisive goals in important matches.
Not the same can be said of Cristiano Ronaldo, who might well be awarded the Fifa World Player and Footballer of the Year awards, but in my opinion fails to impress and leave a mark in the important matches. He might prove me wrong in the final...we'll have to wait and see.