Rai CEO Roberto Sergio said Monday
that two commentators who are at the centre of a furore over
sexist and racist remarks made while covering the World Aquatics
Championships in Japan will be pulled from the event.
The case regards Rai Sport journalist Lorenzo Leonarduzzi and
expert commentator Massimiliano Mazzucchi.
"A public service journalist cannot descend to the level of bar
jokes while on air," Sergio said.
"I have given the competent offices a mandate to start
disciplinary proceedings and I have asked Rai Sport Director
Iacopo Volpi to bring the commentator and the technical expert
back from Japan".
The row exploded after viewers filed complaints about the
coverage of the women's 3m Springboard Synchro event on Rai Play
2
In one remark, a commentator joked that women only have to study
three musical notes - "Si La Do" - a play on words as it roughly
translates as 'yes, you can have me'.
In another, a commentator poked fun at the pronunciation of
Chinese people, saying they would call Italian diver Riccardo
Giovannini "Liccaldo".
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