GAZZETTA DELLO SPORT, one of Italy’s leading sports newspapers, has denied that there were any racist tones to a cartoon which it published depicting Mario Balotelli as King Kong.
Valerio Marini’s drawing, in which the mercurial Manchester City striker is pictured atop Big Ben swatting footballs away, appeared in the build-up to the Azzurri’s quarter-final win against England on Sunday.
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The cartoon’s publication was condemned by anti-racism groups and, following complaints from a number of readers, Gazzetta issued a statement which stopped short of a full apology to Balotelli.
”We can honestly say it was not among the best products of our talented cartoonist. At this time, a measure of prudence and good taste are necessary because everything, absolutely everything, can be misunderstood.
”The newspaper is for those who read it and if certain readers found the cartoon offensive, we apologise.
“‘But those that accuse Gazzetta (and poor Marini) of racism are going overboard. This newspaper has fought any form of racism in every stadium and has condemned the boos directed at Balotelli as an unacceptable form of disrespect.”
Italy play Germany in the second Euro 2012 semi-final in Warsaw tomorrow evening.
@Aidan Farrell: It’s very hard to consistently stay at the top in European rugby. Most teams peak for a couple years. La Rochelle might be on the downward curve
@Lulu Daisy OBrien: so explain this to me then: if Leinster win the European cup this year, do all the kudos go to Jacques Nienaber, and, if they don’t…does Leo get the blame because “he is the common denominator” between last year and this year?
@Francis O’Grady: Not really… I would have had Stormers as marginal favourites to win this game narrowly. Very difficult to travel to SA and a 6 day turnaround. Stormers are not often beaten at home. I would back La Rochelle to win their 2 games in January.
@Dave Murray: They’ve got 2 bonus points. Even if they lose at Sale I would still expect them to end up with 8 points which I suspect will be enough – although we’ll need to get the calculators out after Round 3
Joke of a result. Stormers send their second string to Europe last week, La Rochelle off the back of Leinster last week have to travel to SA this week and play the stormers who were rubbish but fresh. One iffy yellow at the end, cancelled try and the game changed at the death.
Week long turn arounds for clubs in Europe travelling to SA needs to be revisited whether for URC or European games, especially when you see SA sides taking the mick by sending second strings to Europe.
@Will condon: SA sides taking the Mick, please ? Scheduling for URC and challenge/ champions cup, large squad rotation , travel and different conditions ..the saffas are just playing the game like the other European sides do to get the results that matter . The scary thing is we are actually getting results in Europe with our b teams ..:)
@Stuart: would you go way. Stormers sending a second string to Europe last week and resting their entire first team isn’t taking the mick no? Every team has the same scheduling, rotation, travel and conditions issues (we are talking rugby here and not horse racing aren’t we?). European rugby has always been about playing your best against the best, otherwise what’s the point. SA teams are already loosing the culture, team history and tradition arguments, keep playing second strings because of travel arguments and SA teams won’t last long in Europe.
@Will condon: its about winning……..I’ll come back to you in around 3 years when a SA team wins the champions cup (probably the bulls by the current trajectory )…good luck with your old school traditions
@Will condon: “European rugby has always been about playing your best against the best” … you must be new to European rugby. This hasn’t been true since about 2002. Other than the provinces and maybe Toulouse no one believes that. Even ‘traditional’ European giants like Leicester have sent out weakened teams on numerous occasions over the tears.
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Wait! Aren’t they “ROG’s La Rochelle” anymore?
Outstanding result for the Stormers , brilliant to see the champs in Capetown…saffas getting some great results so far in this comp this year..
O’Gara really struggling this season, been desperately mediocre in their own domestic league this season also.
@Aidan Farrell: It’s very hard to consistently stay at the top in European rugby. Most teams peak for a couple years. La Rochelle might be on the downward curve
@Robin Cafolla: They are not out of it yet.
This fella ROG is a cod.
@Daniel Murphy: Hilarious.. great trolling
Looked totally drained with 10-15 to go
@Francis O’Grady,
Maybe in perspective but not in prospective.
Rog is at the wheel.
@Hugh De Payans: Lancaster being missed BIG TIME at Leinster…… just proves Cullen is just a figurehead!
@Lulu Daisy OBrien: so explain this to me then: if Leinster win the European cup this year, do all the kudos go to Jacques Nienaber, and, if they don’t…does Leo get the blame because “he is the common denominator” between last year and this year?
Puts the Leinster win last week in prospective.
@Francis O’Grady: doesn’t really…
@Francis O’Grady: Not really… I would have had Stormers as marginal favourites to win this game narrowly. Very difficult to travel to SA and a 6 day turnaround. Stormers are not often beaten at home. I would back La Rochelle to win their 2 games in January.
@Francis O’Grady: good man
@Paul Ennis, I wouldn’t be surprised if they do but away to Sale is gonna be tough. Big pressure on them now.
@Dave Murray: They’ve got 2 bonus points. Even if they lose at Sale I would still expect them to end up with 8 points which I suspect will be enough – although we’ll need to get the calculators out after Round 3
Joke of a result. Stormers send their second string to Europe last week, La Rochelle off the back of Leinster last week have to travel to SA this week and play the stormers who were rubbish but fresh. One iffy yellow at the end, cancelled try and the game changed at the death.
Week long turn arounds for clubs in Europe travelling to SA needs to be revisited whether for URC or European games, especially when you see SA sides taking the mick by sending second strings to Europe.
@Will condon: SA sides taking the Mick, please ? Scheduling for URC and challenge/ champions cup, large squad rotation , travel and different conditions ..the saffas are just playing the game like the other European sides do to get the results that matter . The scary thing is we are actually getting results in Europe with our b teams ..:)
@Stuart: would you go way. Stormers sending a second string to Europe last week and resting their entire first team isn’t taking the mick no? Every team has the same scheduling, rotation, travel and conditions issues (we are talking rugby here and not horse racing aren’t we?). European rugby has always been about playing your best against the best, otherwise what’s the point. SA teams are already loosing the culture, team history and tradition arguments, keep playing second strings because of travel arguments and SA teams won’t last long in Europe.
@Will condon: its about winning……..I’ll come back to you in around 3 years when a SA team wins the champions cup (probably the bulls by the current trajectory )…good luck with your old school traditions
@Will condon: “European rugby has always been about playing your best against the best” … you must be new to European rugby. This hasn’t been true since about 2002. Other than the provinces and maybe Toulouse no one believes that. Even ‘traditional’ European giants like Leicester have sent out weakened teams on numerous occasions over the tears.
Delighted for them