New hail of criticism for Italy's Rai broadcast. Radio 1 commentator Nicola Zanarini is at the center of disciplinary proceedings for some words uttered live during "Tutto il calcio", the main radio program of football commentary. During the Reggiana-Cremonese match, on the occasion of the goal scored by Manolo Portanova, who was sentenced to six years in first instance for a case of group sexual assault that took place in an apartment in Siena in 2021, the journalist called the gesture "a wonderful goal that silences the controversy, even if we then remember that in a few months there will be an appeal process". One sentence immediately triggered a long trail of comments and prompt disciplinary proceedings by the state broadcaster despite Zanarini's immediate apology and clarification in the course of reporting.
"I made a comment that was certainly out of place and I committed a serious levity by recounting Manolo Portanova's goal," he explained, "I certainly did not intend to say that the case is closed by a goal or the controversy swept away by a sporting gesture, so much so that immediately afterwards I recalled that the appeal after the first-degree conviction to 6 years for the heavy accusation of gang rape will be held in the coming months in Florence. I have followed the issue in recent times by giving voice to the women's associations of Reggio Emilia that have challenged the decision to engage the player, and I have also criticized the Granata club for its long silence on the matter," Zanarini recalled again, "and also pointed out the great prudence of the municipality in taking a position. Far from me wanting to absolve a defendant for a goal, in the hype of the radio commentary a big stupid thing just came out, for which I sincerely and deeply apologize to all those who felt offended. Having immediately realized my mistake, in the radio commentary follow-up I pointed out that today's goal certainly does not put an end to the Portanova case and the controversy that followed the player's signing".