Paolo Petrecca, director of Rai Sport, prompted widespread criticism and protests from journalists at network
The head of the sports division of the Italian public broadcaster Rai has resigned after his gaffe-strewn commentary of the Winter Olympics opening ceremony provoked protests among its journalists.
Paolo Petrecca, appointed director of Rai Sport last year, handed in his notice on Thursday after a board meeting, a source within Rai confirmed.
The controversy has been seized upon by members of the Italian opposition, who called his appointment an example of prioritising political affiliation over merit at the broadcaster they have accused of rightwing bias because of Petrecca’s close allegiance to Giorgia Meloni’s government.
During his commentary of the opening ceremony, Petrecca welcomed viewers to Rome’s Stadio Olimpico instead of Milan’s San Siro, where the event was held, before mistaking the Italian actor Matilda De Angelis for Mariah Carey and Kirsty Coventry, president of the International Olympic Committee, for Laura Mattarella, the daughter of the Italian president.
