GERMAN TV NETS FILE COMPLAINT OVER FAKE EURO 2012 CLIP

Sports executives of Germany’s two state-run television networks, ARD and ZDF, have filed complaints with the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), after it was revealed that an image of a German woman shown in tears after her team dropped two goals behind Italy was actually shot 40 minutes before the game, when she was moved by the playing of the German national anthem. UEFA provided pool coverage of the semi-final game. “This incident is in no way acceptable,” ZDF Sports Director Dieter Gruschwitz wrote in a letter to UEFA. “Because here it was suggested to the viewer that a scene –- the woman with tears -– was a direct result of the situation that had just happened, namely the Italians’ goal. … This is without a doubt a manipulation.” His counterpart at ARD, Jörg Schönenborn, said: “We are incredulous and annoyed. … This discussion is not yet over.” UEFA has acknowledged that it rigged the footage but maintained that it had done so only to show “the human story of the game” and “translate the emotion and tension of German fans.”