Interns Sent Home After Celebrating Goal Live on Air
A recent incident involving two interns at Sky Sports has sparked a heated debate about professional conduct and the line between being a fan and a journalist. The event occurred during a live broadcast of a football match, where the interns were reportedly sent home after fans caught them celebrating a goal on air.
In now-viral footage, the two interns can be seen gleefully erupting and embracing each other behind the news presenter as a 93rd-minute goal went in. The moment was captured by an eagle-eyed fan during the broadcaster’s live reporting of Hellas Verona vs Inter Milan on Sunday evening.
The scene shows the presenter providing live updates of the match at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi as it enters its closing stages, before Inter snatched a late victory through a Martin Frese own goal. As the goal went in, thanks to a major deflection, the youngsters can then be seen jumping from their chairs and grabbing each other before quickly shuffling out of camera shot.
According to Italian journalist Francesco Ordine, who reposted a video of the celebrations on X, the Sky Sports Italy director, Federico Ferri, intervened promptly by sending the two interns home. He also signed a very tough internal circular on the extremely delicate matter, according to Ordine’s report.
An Italian outlet, Letter43, shared a letter allegedly sent to Ferri by editorial staff. An extract of the letter is said to read: ‘Dear colleagues, today the editorial staff was the protagonist of a scene unworthy of our profession and of the prestige and seriousness that distinguish and should distinguish Sky Sport. I say ‘the editorial staff’, meaning all of us, because for the people outside, there aren’t individual perpetrators, but Sky Sport, period. And when one of us makes a fool of ourselves, we all make a fool of ourselves.’
The letter then goes on to demand impartiality from staff in a bid to ensure they act like ‘journalists, not fans,’ according to the report.
However, the decision has not gone down well with a contingent of fans online. One wrote on X: ‘It happens to everyone… yeah, we’re fans… there’s passion.’ Another added: ‘Come on… if you get close to football it’s because first you’re a fan… Then during the broadcasts you have to try to be impartial… it was a behind the scenes.’ A third questioned: ‘Is it forbidden to cheer for your own team?’
Sky Italy have been approached for comment. The incident highlights the challenges faced by journalists in maintaining professionalism while still being passionate about the sport they cover.
Key Points from the Incident
- The interns were caught celebrating a goal live on air during a football match.
- The incident was captured by a fan and went viral on social media.
- The Sky Sports Italy director, Federico Ferri, sent the interns home and issued a strict internal circular.
- An internal letter from the editorial staff criticized the behavior, emphasizing the need for impartiality.
- Fans have expressed mixed reactions, with some defending the interns’ actions as a natural expression of passion.
This incident raises important questions about the balance between professional conduct and personal enthusiasm in sports journalism. It also underscores the importance of maintaining a level of decorum that reflects the standards expected of a reputable news outlet.