The head of sport at Italy’s public broadcaster has resigned amid outrage over his gaffe-ridden live commentary at the opening of the Winter Olympics.
Paolo Petrecca, head of Rai Sport, quit after confusing actress Matilda De Angelis with singer Mariah Carey during the opening ceremony of the Milano-Cortina games on Feb. 6. He also misidentified Kirsty Coventry, president of the International Olympic Committee, as the daughter of Italian President Sergio Mattarella.
In his remarks, Petrecca caused widespread offense by describing the Spanish team as “calienti” (“hot”), saying that Brazilians “have the music in their blood,” associating African athletes with “voodoo rituals,” and making derogatory remarks about the clothing of Arab delegations.
Petrecca is seen as close to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and her political opponents were quick to capitalize on the backlash.
The Democratic Party said in a statement that “the Olympics are a time of utmost responsibility for public service broadcasting” and denounced the telecast as an example of Rai TV at its worst, calling it “Telemeloni” — or Meloni TV.
Usigrai, the union representing journalists at Rai, welcomed Petrecca’s resignation but noted that “responsibilities remained” at the leadership level for putting him in charge of Rai Sport. That decision has caused enormous damage to the broadcaster’s reputation, they argued.
Petrecca has yet to speak publicly since the announcement, although earlier on Thursday he shared a cryptic Instagram story that referred to a passage from the Bible in which Jesus, speaking at the Last Supper, tells his disciples that “one of you will betray me.”
Olympic gaffes force out Meloni ally at Italy’s Rai Sport
Source: Viral Showbiz Pinay
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