🇲🇹 Aidan disqualified from MESC 2023

As Malta’s selection process for Eurovision 2023 continues, Maltese broadcaster PBS has announced that one of the participants, Aidan Cassar has been disqualified from the contest this year. Aidan, who performed his entry “Reġina” in the first quarter final, was disqualified for breaching the rules of the competition.

The article from Maltese news outlet TVM has since clarified that the disqualification came due to breaches of 5.3 and 5.5 of the MESC regulations. These rules prohibit “the publication of any social media posts, promotion material, interviews or any media presence from the announcement of the quarter-finalists onwards”.

About MESC 2023

40 acts have been selected for this year’s MESC, Malta’s selection for Eurovision 2023. Each of them has performed as part of three quarter finals, following which the public will select 24 acts to progress to the semi-final on 9th February. Of these, 16 acts will reach the final on 11th February, and one will win the ticket to Liverpool. While MESC will select the artist to compete at Eurovision, the Maltese delegation and selected artist reserve the right to change the song that will take to the stage in Liverpool.

The quarter finals are hosted by Ryan Borg and Josmar, and will conclude this Friday 27th January. The semi-finals and final will be hosted by Glen Vella and Amber Bondin.

Malta’s Eurovision journey

Malta made its Eurovision debut in 1971, with Joe Grech performing “Marija I-Maltija” (Maria the Maltese Lass), finishing 18th with 52 points. Malta did not participate in Eurovision from 1975 until 1991. That year they returned with the song “Could It Be” by Paul Giordimaina and Georgina, finishing 12th with 32 points.

Since then, Malta has been at every Eurovision and finished in the top 10 an impressive 12 times. Their best result so far is second place, which they’ve achieved twice. The first time was in 2002, when Ira Losco sang “7th Wonder,” and the second time in 2005 with Chiara’s “Angel.” Malta’s most recent Eurovision entry was Emma Muscat, who scored 47 points in the semi-final, earning 16th place and therefore, not qualifying for the final with the song “I Am What I Am”.

What do you think of Aidan’s disqualification? Who do you think Malta will now choose in their selection? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow “That Eurovision Site” on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tiktok as we gear up for Eurovision 2023!

News Source: PBS

Photo Credit: TVM