Fact Check: 2014 Friendly, Slovakia Maite The first few seconds of Linkin Park's "Numb" was played

The Claim: "2014 Friendly, Slovakia - Linkin Park's 'Numb' was played"

Introduction

The claim revolves around an incident that occurred during a friendly football match between Malta and Slovakia in 2014, where it is alleged that the first few seconds of Linkin Park's song "Numb" were mistakenly played instead of the Maltese national anthem. This incident has been referenced in various sources, but the specifics and implications of the claim warrant a closer examination.

What We Know

1. On September 5, 2014, during a friendly match held at the MSK Zilina Stadium in Slovakia, there was a reported incident where the intro of Linkin Park's "Numb" was played instead of the Maltese national anthem. Multiple sources confirm this occurrence, noting that the mistake was made by the DJ or sound technician responsible for the event 234568.
2. The incident has been documented in lists of wrong anthem incidents, which categorize various occurrences where incorrect national anthems were played at sporting events 110.
3. Reports indicate that the mistake lasted for a very brief period, with some sources specifying that it was only a few seconds 69.

Analysis

The sources reporting this incident vary in their reliability and potential biases:

• Wikipedia: The entry on wrong anthem incidents provides a broad overview and is generally reliable for factual recounting, but it may lack depth in specific incidents due to its nature as a user-edited platform 1.

• International Business Times (IBT): This source reports on the incident with a straightforward account, but IBT has been criticized in the past for sensationalism, which may affect the framing of the story 2.

• Independent and Daily Mail: Both of these outlets provide detailed accounts of the incident. The Independent is generally regarded as a credible source, while the Daily Mail has a reputation for sensationalism, which could lead to exaggerated reporting 34.

• Sport Bible and Times of Malta: These sources provide similar accounts, with the Times of Malta being a local publication that may have more direct access to eyewitness accounts and local reactions, potentially increasing its reliability in this context 58.

Methodology and Evidence

The evidence for the claim primarily comes from eyewitness accounts and media reports from the day of the incident. However, the lack of video evidence or official statements from the organizing bodies (e.g., the football associations involved) raises questions about the thoroughness of the reporting. Additional information that would be helpful includes:

• Official statements from the event organizers or the football associations involved.
• Video footage of the event to verify the duration and context of the music played.
• Reactions from players or officials present at the match, which could provide insight into the incident's impact.

Conclusion

Verdict: True

The claim that Linkin Park's "Numb" was played instead of the Maltese national anthem during a friendly match in Slovakia in 2014 is supported by multiple credible sources. Reports consistently indicate that the mistake occurred, with eyewitness accounts confirming the incident. The brief duration of the error, noted by several sources, suggests it was an unfortunate but minor mishap.

However, it is important to acknowledge the limitations in the available evidence. The absence of video footage or official statements from the organizing bodies leaves some uncertainty regarding the specifics of the incident. While the majority of sources corroborate the occurrence, the potential for bias in reporting, especially from less reliable outlets, should be considered.

Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information and seek out multiple sources when assessing claims, particularly those involving events that may be subject to varying interpretations or sensationalism.

Sources

1. List of wrong anthem incidents - Wikipedia. Link
2. Linkin Park's 'Numb' Played Instead of Maltese National Anthem Before ... - International Business Times. Link
3. Malta's national anthem almost replaced by a Linkin Park song during ... - The Independent. Link
4. Linkin Park's Numb played instead of Malta national anthem in Slovakia ... - Daily Mail. Link
5. Malta's national anthem was replaced with Linkin Park's 'Numb' ahead of ... - Sport Bible. Link
6. Malta national anthem changed for Linkin Park's Numb - Times of Malta. Link
7. In 2014, during a friendly football game between Malta and ... - Threads. Link
8. [WATCH] National anthem replaced by Linkin Park song at Malta-Slovakia ... - Malta Today. Link