Last June, the sports journalist was convicted in the first instance for stalking and assaulting a woman

Enrico Varriale, a sports journalist who was convicted in the first instance last June for stalking and assaulting a woman, has been fired by Rai. The decision taken by the public service broadcaster was announced by the director of Rai Sport, Paolo Petrecca, who wrote in an email sent to the editorial committee on October 1, 2025: “Dear colleagues, I would like to inform you that the relationship between Rai and our colleague Enrico Varriale has been terminated for just cause.” The news of Enrico Varriale’s dismissal was then circulated to the entire sports editorial staff: formally, however, the sports journalist’s dismissal is not linked to the legal proceedings concerning him.

Enrico Varriale had already been suspended as a precautionary measure from public television in 2022. The decision was made following accusations of stalking his ex-partner: for this legal case, he was sentenced in the first instance to 10 months’ imprisonment (against the prosecution’s request for two years). He must also periodically participate in a program for men who commit violence against women. However, the journalist is also under investigation for another similar case: the charge is again stalking and assault against a woman with whom the 65-year-old had a relationship. Following Rai’s precautionary suspension, the former deputy director of Rai Sport sued the company a year ago for demotion.