The Italian fencing federation has vowed to lodge an official complaint after Filippo Macchi lost a gold medal to Hong Kong’s Cheung Ka Long at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
In response to the drama, fans began criticizing the Italian athlete on social media with comments about putting pineapple on pizza, a notorious faux pas in the European nation.
“I like pineapple pizza and soy sauce pasta,” one of Cheung’s Instagram followers wrote beneath her recent photo, while many others echoed the same sentiment.
Pizza Hut’s Hong Kong and Macau branches even took a swipe at Italy, offering customers free pineapple toppings following Cheung’s gold medal.
“All Hong Kongers are very happy and excited today!” the store wrote in a Facebook post announcing the sale earlier this week.
Italy’s Filippo Macchi lost the gold medal to Hong Kong’s Cheung Ka Long in Paris
Pizza Hut Hong Kong mocked Italy by offering its customers free pineapple toppings
Italy has the most Olympic fencing medals of any nation and was not satisfied with the outcome of the men’s foil match.
Controversy surrounded the final point, which was awarded after referees reviewed the footage three times.
“It’s crazy for me because I work so hard every day to fight, to come to Paris, to France, to qualify for the Olympics,” Cheung said after taking the victory, 15-14, according to the New York Times.
He is now the first Hong Kong athlete to win two Olympic gold medals.
Meanwhile, the Italian Fencing Federation said in a statement it would lodge a complaint over “unacceptable refereeing.”
Cheung won the men’s foil match 15-14, becoming the country’s first repeat gold medal winner.
“I strive every day to fight, to come to Paris, to France, to qualify for the Olympic Games,” she said.
“Filippo Macchi is the real winner,” wrote Paolo Azzi, president of the federation, on social media.
“He was denied the gold he deserved,” Azzi continued.
Macchi, however, said he did not want to blame the referees.
“A long time ago, a person very dear to me, and a great champion, told me: ‘A medal is always celebrated!’” he wrote on social media.
“And this medal really deserves joy and happiness,” he added.
