Over 70,000 crossed to Gozo ahead of Santa Maria festivities

Aug 16 2021

As the Maltese prepped for the famous Santa Maria celebration, a total of 73,263 people crossed over to Gozo between Wednesday 11th and Sunday 15th August to enjoy their holidays. Registering a significant 2% increase when compared to the same time period from last year, this shows how domestic tourism remains immensely popular and in demand despite being during a pandemic. Friday recorded the highest crossing amount at around 16,000.

An increase in the number of people was accompanied by an increase in a number of vehicles. In the past 5 days, 462 voyages carried a total of 28,355 vehicles across the channel. iNews reported how there was a 7.1% increase in the number of people crossing from Cirkewwa whereas a 3.76% decrease was reported for Imgarr, Ghawdex. This points to people spending more than one day in Gozo.

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Photo Source: My Guide Malta

Hibernians send official protest to UEFA after ‘unacceptable behaviour’ from referees

Aug 16 2021

Yesterday local club Hibernians FC released a statement announcing that they have officially filed a complaint to UEFA “following the unacceptable behaviour of the refereeing team in last Thursday’s match against FC Riga.”

Following Thursday’s game, experienced defender Andrei Agius said “We know how much effort the team has put through in all our matches in the European competitions this year against Flora Tallinn, Folgore and FC Riga and we know that reaching the group stages of the Conference League was something that we could have managed but unfortunately things didn’t work out well for us and it hurts.” and “We showed that it’s possible for Maltese clubs to reach the group stages of the competition.”

The defender also cited that VAR is needed even in European matches that happen earlier and include smaller teams. Hibernians lost nearly €3 million arguably due to human error, something that wouldn’t have if VAR was available.

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Should Malta change its flag to include The Maltese cross?

Aug 16 2021

Anonymous group Spunt stirred up an important debate; Should Malta change its flag and remove the George Cross? The symbol, awarded to the Maltese in 1942 as recognition for their bravery, has flown on the country’s colours ever since independence. In a bold statement ‘Out with the old, in with the older’, Spunt provided options for what Malta’s flag could look like without the George Cross.

Whether it be a plain red-and-white flag, which could lead to some confusion with other countries’ flags, or utilising the eight-pointed cross left to us by the Knights of St. John, the article by Spunt really delves into some of the country’s alternatives. They point out how the eight-pointed cross – also known as The Maltese Cross – is already a national symbol – finding a place on the national football team’s shirt and even tourism promotion.

‘Ultimately, replacing the George Cross with the Maltese on makes a statement, emphasising our European character over our British Imperial one. A statement appropriate in 2021’ say Spunt. What do you think?

Read Spunt’s full article here.

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Photo Source: Spunt FB

Lionel Messi now has the 3 most-liked sports images on Instagram

Aug 16 2021

Following his earth-shattering move to Paris Saint-Germain, Lionel Messi’s social media momentum shows no signs of slowing down as the Argentinian football star currently occupies the 3 most-liked sports images on Instagram.

In third place with a whopping 20.8 million likes is Messi’s FC Barcelona press conference snap, with one of the player’s first photos in Le Parc de Princess coming in second with 21.5 million likes.

The most liked sports photo on Instagram is Leo’s emotional Copa America snap which is Argentina’s first major trophy since 1993.

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A post shared by Leo Messi (@leomessi)

The 34-year-old football superstar shocked the world with his move from boyhood club FC Barcelona to Parisian side PSG, definitively making it one of the most-followed football transfers in recent history.

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