Chinese commentator sorry over anti-Socceroo rant
China’s most popular television football commentator has been forced to apologise for an extraordinary outburst of pro-Italy bias during his call as the Azzurri knocked Australia out of the World Cup.
Huang Jianxiang, who was commentating for an audience of millions on the state-run CCTV, was unable to control his enthusiasm when Fabio Grosso went down in a challenge and a last-minute penalty was awarded to the Italians.
“Penalty! Penalty! Penalty!” he screamed. “Grosso’s done it, Grosso’s done it!
“The great Italian left back! He succeeded in the glorious traditions of Italy! Facchetti, Cabrini and Maldini, their souls are infused in him at this moment!
“Grosso represents the long history and traditions of Italian soccer, he’s not fighting alone at this moment! He’s not alone!”
The massive Chinese television audiences are not often served up such South American-style passion and Huang’s paean to Italy at the dramatic climax of Australia’s 1-0 loss has provoked a storm of controversy in the media.
More was to come when Francesco Totti converted the penalty to win the match and Huang had a special mention for Australia’s Dutch coach Guus Hiddink, whose South Korea side knocked Italy out of the last World Cup.
“Goooooal! Game over! Italy win! Beat the Australians!” he shouted, his voice now breaking.
“They do not fall in front of Hiddink again! Italy the great! Left back the great! Happy birthday to Maldini! Forza Italia!
“The victory belongs to Italy, to Grosso, to Cannavaro, to Zambrotta, to Buffon, to Maldini, to everyone who loves Italian soccer!
“Hiddink … lost all his courage faced with Italian history and traditions … He finally reaped fruits which he had sown! They should go home. They don’t need to go as far away as Australia as most of them are living in Europe. Farewell!”
In a letter of public apology, Huang wrote: “I have attached too much personal feeling to the match of Italian versus Australia at the end of the game last night. I will apologise to those fans who express their dissatisfaction, opinion and criticism.”
After the match Huang had said he could not remember what he had said in the heat of the moment and his preference for Italy was because he had commentated on Serie A for many years.
“I’m more familiar with Italian players … and I don’t like Australians indeed,” he said.
“I was hoping they’d do badly here.”
Australia recently joined the Asian Football Confederation and from the next World Cup will contest for one of their qualification spots.
“Do you remember how China were blocked from going to the Spain World Cup in a qualifier in 1981?” Huang said.
“It was a team just like Australia, all of whom were living and playing in England but with New Zealand passports. It still hurts … and in 2009, Australia will be just like New Zealand at that time.”
HUANG JIANXIANG’S LETTER OF PUBLIC APOLOGY
Dear soccer fans and TV viewers around the country:
I have attached too much personal feeling to the match of Italian versus Australia at the end of the game last night. After I woke up this morning, I reviewed the video of the match again and I feel there are some injustice and prejudice in my comment. I will make formal apologies to viewers.
I am familiar with the Italian football and I hope that the Italians can gain a berth in the last eight, which will make the matches in the [future] more exciting, but I have mingled my feeling and the role of my job. It is not a standpoint that a TV commentator should have. I will apologise to those fans who express their dissatisfaction, opinion and criticism.
I will draw the lesson from this case and remind me of the role of my job and keep my personal feeling and job balanced. When we live broadcast the matches, we hope referees can be just, and as a commentator, I will try my best to be fair and to do a good job.
Wish every fan happiness with the World Cup matches.
Reuters
China and Italy may outwardly have little in common, and the two nations – traditionally at opposing ends of the political spectrum – could never be classed in the ‘best mates’ category.
More of the same was to follow after substitute Francesco Totti managed to keep his calm to slot home the spot kick and book Italy’s place in the quarter finals.
