EU inquiry into funding of concert

THE European Union is investigating whether funds were misused last year for an Elton John concert in Italy as the financial crisis was forcing member nations into austerity.

EU spokesman Ton van Lierop said yesterday that the European Commission wants "to know as quickly as possible" why local authorities used money typically earmarked to boost investment projects for the concert.

John performed in front of about 100,000 people in September 2009 in Naples at the Piedigrotta festival, which is backed by local authorities.

National authorities have a lot of leeway on what spending to approve from such investment funds under €50 million (about 42m), including cultural projects. Mr van Lierop said that €2.25m of EU funds were invested in the festival, with €720,000 dedicated to organising the Elton John concert.

He said the use of such funds for cultural ends often consisted of renovating historic buildings or setting up cultural centres rather than one-time concerts.

Dario Scalabrini, the festival's artistic director, defended the use of the cash, saying it was intended to promote the area and the concert did just that.

Van Lierop said the inquiry into the concert will be included in a general assessment on how Naples' region of Campania uses EU funds.