Ticino football commentator not allowed to attend the World Cup
Armando Ceroni, who usually commentates on the Swiss national football team's matches for Radiotelevisione Svizzera di lingua italiana (RSI), is not allowed to travel to South Africa. A TV interview with national team coach Ottmar Hitzfeld was his undoing.
Ceroni had violated the code of conduct. As a result, his accreditation for the World Cup in South Africa has been withdrawn, said RSI Head of Sport Andreas Wyden at the request of the news agency SDA. The decision was made by the Business Unit Sport (BUS), which is responsible for implementing SRG's sports strategy. It coordinates and organizes major projects such as the Football World Cup for the national radio and television broadcasters.
Ceroni is accused of having conducted an unauthorized interview with Hitzfeld. In doing so, he risked jeopardizing "the delicate relationship with the national team", writes RSI in a communiqué. Ceroni will not be able to follow the World Cup on site because of this faux pas. The 50-year-old had already been banned from commentating on the international match against Italy last Saturday. Many RSI TV viewers noticed this immediately. Ceroni is one of the station's best-known faces.
Ceroni is accused of having conducted an unauthorized interview with Hitzfeld. In doing so, he risked jeopardizing "the delicate relationship with the national team", writes RSI in a communiqué. Ceroni will not be able to follow the World Cup on site because of this faux pas. The 50-year-old had already been banned from commentating on the international match against Italy last Saturday. Many RSI TV viewers noticed this immediately. Ceroni is one of the station's best-known faces.
