Top Journalist Speaks Out: Kong Linghui Bears No Blame, Liu Guoliang Deserves Criticism—But Made No Mistake

Former *La Gazzetta dello Sport* senior journalist Bozza has stepped forward to clear the air regarding recent remarks about table tennis legends Kong Linghui and Liu Guoliang. In a follow-up statement, he addressed what he described as “misunderstandings” from a previous interview with renowned sports reporter Zhang Bin.

Zhang Bin’s original report suggested that Bozza felt regret over Kong Linghui’s departure as head coach of the Chinese women’s national team, quoting him as saying: *“His disappearance from the scene was due to something very, very stupid — and he never took responsibility for it.”*

Bozza has now clarified that this was not what he meant. *“The reason that led him (Kong Linghui) to step down was indeed very, very foolish — but I never said he failed to take responsibility. What I actually said was: ‘He couldn’t take responsibility for that foolish matter, because it wasn’t his fault.’ It’s important to set the record straight about Kong Linghui. I value my friendship with him deeply, and he knows I have always supported him.”*

Regarding Liu Guoliang stepping down as chairman of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, Zhang Bin’s report quoted Bozza as saying, *“Liu Guoliang needed to do something for Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng within WTT.”*

Bozza explained that his real point was different: *“Chinese fans have criticized him for this, and he must accept such criticism because his role in WTT is significant. Of course, accepting criticism does not mean he is guilty — it’s simply a principle of managing public sentiment, something that happens to every public figure, whether loved or disliked.”*