As Israelis celebrated the release of hostages from Hamas captivity, a televised gesture during a World Cup qualifier between Israel and Italy sparked a political and media firestorm in Italy.
During Tuesday’s match, aired live on Italy’s public broadcaster RAI, commentators Alessandro Antinelli and Jacopo Cecconi appeared on-screen wearing black ribbons on their lapels. Antinelli told viewers the ribbons were “to remember the 250 journalists, men and women, who were killed while trying to report from what a UN investigative committee has defined as genocide. That is a fact.”
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Italian sports casters wear black ribbons on air during match against Israel
(Photo: RAI)
His statement — particularly the use of the term “genocide” — drew sharp backlash, not only because it was made on public television, but because it came just days after a former RAI spokesperson, Incoronata Boccia, had declared there was “not a single piece of evidence that the IDF fired on unarmed civilians,” accusing international media of “professional suicide in the face of Hamas propaganda.”
Against that backdrop, Antinelli and Cecconi’s televised act ignited public outrage, especially as it took place during a match against Israel’s national team.
Outside the stadium in Udine, clashes also erupted between protesters and police. Three people were injured and 15 arrested, including RAI journalist Elisa Dosi, who was struck by a thrown stone.
Right-wing Italian politicians condemned the incident. Former minister Carlo Giovanardi called the gesture “a red-line violation” and said, “Using public broadcasting to spread antisemitic propaganda — especially during a sporting event meant to unite rather than divide — is unacceptable.”