The Ultimate Betting Forum - View Single Post

ilunga · 2nd July 2006, 09:38

Also from the Herald.

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.

2nd July 2006, 09:38	#5 (permalink)
ilunga Gold Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: london Posts: 5,725	Re: Sydney Morning Herald Also from the Herald. 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.