Matteo Bobbi and Davide Valsecchi, the two voices of Sky for Formula 1, have been suspended for a Grand Prix. The reason? Having uttered sexist jokes during last Sunday’s live television broadcast during the Spanish GP. «I wanted to tell Davide that behind him there is a nice “package of updates” if he turns around», says Bobbi inviting her colleague to turn around to observe a girl walking nearby. An invitation immediately accepted by Valsecchi, who not only turns to observe but comments: «I know them, unfortunately they told me that they cannot be tested». At that point, it is the correspondent Federica Masolin who intervenes in the conversation: “I ask for political asylum, can’t we watch some interviews instead of listening to these two?”. The interview actually goes on the air. But once the direction of Sky restores the line to the live commentators, the curtain starts again: «If I go home, I guess I’ll take a lot of blows, I’ll take them», Bobbi tries to distance himself. Valsecchi, on the other hand, shows no signs of repentance: “I’ve already had eye surgery twice because I’ve lost my sight from looking at those things since I was a child.”
Excuses
After the video ends up on social media, sparking controversy and criticism, the two commentators intervene to apologize. “I am very sorry. I fell into a cheesy banter and used inappropriate and disrespectful words. For this I would like to apologize to those who have felt offended, to women and to Sky,” wrote Valsecchi in an Instagram story. And my colleague Bobbi also did the same: «Although it wasn’t my intentions, I generated an unpleasant moment that made some people’s sensibilities suffer. I sincerely apologize to anyone who may have felt offended by reiterating my total and profound respect for everyone and all women.” An apology only partially accepted by Sky, which has however decided to suspend both for a Grand Prix.
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