Overview
- Patrizio Pazzini, a pizzeria owner in Montecatini and brother of ex-footballer Giampaolo Pazzini, filmed and posted a video insulting a group of Taiwanese customers.
- The group counted 16 people who ordered five pizzas, a detail highlighted by Pazzini as he mocked the diners and used slurs conflating Taiwan with China.
- After the video circulated widely and was aired by Taiwanese newscasts, Pazzini deleted the clip and released a public apology.
- In his apology, he denied being racist and addressed both populations with the phrases “I apologize to the people of China” and “I apologize to the people of Taiwan.”
- The restaurant reported dozens of calls, including insults and threats, as the incident damaged its reputation online, with Italian outlets documenting the fallout.