Modern data on the decays phi, omega --> e(+)e(-) are shown to suggest
a significant role of a direct transition in comparison with the stan
dard picture of the phi omega mixing. Arguments based on QCD are put f
orward in favor of the direct transition, which is an equally probable
origin of the decay phi(1020) --> p(770)pi --> pi(+)pi(-)pi(0) as phi
omega mixing.