Leandro Zapponi went viral for all the wrong reasons following the United States’ 2-0 win over Australia on Friday.
A clip of the Argentine broadcaster was circulated after the game, and it appeared to show Zapponi making a racially insensitive comment about American singer-songwriter Ciara, who was shown on the broadcast alongside former NFL quarterback Russell Wilson. The viral clip suggested Zapponi asked, “Who is this black woman?” during Friday’s broadcast.
It appears the clip is fake. Zapponi and his broadcaster, DSPORTS in Argentina, both came out following the clip’s circulation with emphatic denials. Zapponi’s social media post included footage of the actual broadcast, which does not include the racially charged comment he was accused of making.
“In times of Fake News, these people are just trying to cause harm and spread hatred,” a translation of Zapponi’s post reads. “AI-modified audios that aren’t even funny. It’s sad to have to clarify that I never said and would never say something like that. Here’s the real clip from the broadcast.”
DSPORTS subsequently released its own statement,
A clip of the Argentine broadcaster was circulated after the game, and it appeared to show Zapponi making a racially insensitive comment about American singer-songwriter Ciara, who was shown on the broadcast alongside former NFL quarterback Russell Wilson. The viral clip suggested Zapponi asked, “Who is this black woman?” during Friday’s broadcast.
It appears the clip is fake. Zapponi and his broadcaster, DSPORTS in Argentina, both came out following the clip’s circulation with emphatic denials. Zapponi’s social media post included footage of the actual broadcast, which does not include the racially charged comment he was accused of making.
“In times of Fake News, these people are just trying to cause harm and spread hatred,” a translation of Zapponi’s post reads. “AI-modified audios that aren’t even funny. It’s sad to have to clarify that I never said and would never say something like that. Here’s the real clip from the broadcast.”
DSPORTS subsequently released its own statement,
3 months ago
