Decision-makers see how they can fit World Cup games in their schedules

With just four days to go to the greatest sporting event of the year, football followers in the decision-making echelons are busy trying to fit their work schedules around the daytime World Cup matches.

But the question on everybody`s lips is: will they forego their love of the game to attend meetings, or come up with some excuse to watch their favourite team over breakfast or lunch?

With the matches due at 7.30 a.m., 9.30 a.m. 11.30 a.m., and 1.30 p.m. for most of next month, The Times asked a number of personalities about their plans to watch this year`s tournament.

Valletta mayor Paul Borg Olivier, an ardent Italy supporter, is dreading the morning kick-offs.

"Every four years, my father`s house normally becomes a mecca for Italian supporters, complete with hobz biz-zejt and beer. This time it might be coffee and croissants," Dr Borg Olivier complained.

The Valletta mayor said he intended to do the same as everybody else and base his work schedule around the games.

"Unless I have a very important court case, I will do my utmost to watch the matches. The good news is that a television is being installed at the Chamber of Advocates," he said.

The other alternative would be to head for one of the bars or cafés in Valletta that have a TV screen, he said.

Bars are set to be the losers in this World Cup because of the untimely hours of the games. Still, some bars and cafés are seeking to find other ways to capitalise on the tournament.

For the first time ever, a big screen is being installed inside a huge tent on the site of the former opera house for those scores of employees who intend to leave work for a couple of hours.

On the other hand, establishments like Café Jubilee and Museum Café in Valletta have installed TVs for the duration of the tournament for the benefit of their daytime customers.

Union Haddiema Maghqudin general secretary Gejtu Vella said he intended to tape most of the matches and watch them later in the day.

"But when England play I will probably sneak into one of the offices at headquarters which has a TV," Mr Vella confessed.

General Workers` Union general secretary Tony Zarb is one of a minority who supports the feared Brazil.

"At least, that way I only go through a nail-biting period once every four years, unlike the Italian and England supporters, who also have to face the daunting European Championships."

Mr Zarb said he would like to watch the Brazil matches live, but would probably have no choice but to record them due to work commitments.

Both union leaders said they were aware that several companies had adopted a flexible approach towards the tournament, and would free employees for some of the games.

They also said they were aware that there were employees who had asked for vacation leave during the crunch matches of the tournament.

A recent study carried out by a British management firm showed that companies that have a more flexible approach to work during the world cup will reap benefits.

The Football Supporters Association said companies could see higher productivity if fans were able to watch their favourite matches.

A survey in January by Barclaycard revealed as many as six million English workers were ready to call in sick, rather than risk missing England matches.

The World Cup is also likely to disrupt London trading, since matches will kick off in the morning, often the busiest time for trading stocks, bonds and currencies.

An avid England fan, parliamentary secretary George Hyzler did not beat about the bush:

"I love football and I intend watching most of the important matches. At the end of the day, a game only lasts one and a half hours. And football lovers who say they`re not going to watch the crunch matches are hypocrites," he laughed.

Where is he going to watch them?

"Well, I have a TV in my office and another in parliament," was his instant reply.

Parliament is expected to continue its morning sittings next month. All ministers and parliamentary secretaries have the box in their parliamentary offices and there are others in the leader of the opposition`s room, the opposition room and the government room.

Dr Hyzler said it was worth pointing out that Nationalist Party members traditionally sided with the Italians. But this was no longer the case, with the PN MPs now split right down the middle between Italy and England fans.

Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi said that even though he has loved football since his youth, he has learnt to deprive himself of it.

"This notwithstanding, however, I am still a fervent Italy supporter and so I might be more willing to persuade myself to find time to see a good game where Italy are playing!"

Government business, however, cannot be suspended and the country cannot be brought to a standstill, he said.

"So I personally will be taking advantage of technology, and I am putting my mind to rest with SMS alerts and World Cup updates. Nothing will be postponed, a strategic re-scoping of certain occasions might be an option though!

"Joking apart, it might get difficult during the final stages, especially if Italy is so close to the title," he said.

Labour MP Joe Debono Grech, a vocal Birkirkara FC supporter (who had to miss Thursday`s trophy final because of the Maltapost debate), is tipping Brazil or France to win the cup, though he would rather see David Beckham lifting the coveted trophy.

Mr Debono Grech said that parliamentary work took precedence over the games, though he would do his utmost to watch the important matches.

MPs are, however, expected to have an easier time than they did in the last World Cup.

In June 1998, the Labour government was hanging by a thread as the upheaval caused by Dom Mintoff`s behaviour switched the nation`s attention from the tournament to parliament.

Entrepreneur Joe Gasan, who was present when England lifted the World Cup in 1966, will definitely be glued to his TV set.

Mr Gasan has travelled to watch several of the tournaments, including the last one in France four years ago.

He clearly gave away his fanaticism when he managed to recount the times and dates of most of the big games. One thing is certain, he said: he will definitely turn up late for work when England face Nigeria - at 8.30 a.m.

"I work long hours anyway. An hour and a half of football will not do any harm," he said.

Labour leader Alfred Sant told The Times he would watch some games "as, and when possible" but the probability was that he would have to wait for the highlights in the evening.

Who would he be supporting?

"China," was his rather unexpected reply.