Crying fan exposes Uefa’s TV tomfoolery

There were still 54 minutes and stoppage time to play in the semi-final of the European Championship between Italy and Germany but the game’s defining images, it’s central theme, had already been captured for eternity.

Mario Balotelli’s second goal was sublime, his decision to rip the blue shirt from his chiselled torso just as celebrated and the contrasting fortunes of two nations were complete when the camera cut to a German fan, flag painted on her cheek, as a single tear escaped her eye.

Commentators commented on it, tweeters remarked on how ridiculous it was for anyone to seemingly give in so completely to despair when more than 35 minutes had yet to be played but all was not as it seemed.

German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung traced the woman in question. It turned out her name is Andrea, she is from Dusseldorf and the tear had been shed during the national anthems three-quarters of an hour earlier.

Her emotion had been captured by a cameraman and inserted into the action at what someone decided was a more appropriate time. It was only when her friends began to text during the game that Andrea knew what was happening.

The culprits? Uefa, it seems.

“We are surprised and irritated. These pictures aren’t acceptable for us, especially since we spoke to Uefa about this problem a few days ago,” German broadcaster ARD’s Euro 2012 chief editor Joerg Schoenenborn told the newspaper. “We’re now looking for further talks.”

ARD had already brought the matter up with Uefa after German coach Joachim Löw had been shown poking a ball out of a ballboy’s hands during the group game against Holland even though that too had happened prior to the kick-off.

That Balotelli should have been a part of the story seems only fitting given the Italian’s prominence at the tournament in Poland and Ukraine but the Manchester City player is more of a central figure in yet another emerging story. The 21-year-old has informed Italian media that he will take a paternity test after his former fiancée claimed she was pregnant with his child. Raffaella Fico, a 24-year-old television celebrity and underwear model, told the weekly Chi that she was expecting Balotelli’s baby.

“Once I have proof of my paternity, I will assume full responsibility,” said 21-year-old Balotelli in a statement.

The couple’s 18-month relationship frequently made headlines in the Italian media prior to their split last April.