Francesco Totti Attends Controversial Betting Promotion in Moscow
Francesco Totti, the iconic AS Roma and Italy footballer, arrived in Moscow on Monday to participate in a promotional event for Bookmaker Ratings, a major Russian sports and betting portal. His visit has stirred controversy back in Italy due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Totti to Receive RB Award in Moscow
A video showcasing Totti’s arrival at Moscow airport was shared on the event’s Instagram page, further fueling the conversation surrounding the visit. Totti is set to receive the prestigious RB Award, an honor previously bestowed upon sports icons such as Brazil’s Cafu and Portugal’s Luis Figo.
In the days leading up to the event, several billboards featuring a photograph of Totti and the phrase “The Emperor goes to the Third Rome” have appeared across Moscow, generating additional media attention. Totti, who retired from professional football in 2017, stated last month that he was attending “as a man of sport” but added that he would decline any invitations should an official body request him to do so.
The announcement of his appearance at the International RB Award stirred a wave of criticism from fans and politicians in Italy, as tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue to dominate international discourse. Critics questioned the appropriateness of such an appearance amid the geopolitical situation.
Controversy Erupts Over Totti’s Moscow Trip Amid Ongoing Ukraine Conflict
Despite the backlash, Bookmaker Ratings’ CEO, Asker Tkhalidzhokov, downplayed the controversy, highlighting the positive publicity the event has garnered. In an interview with Russian business daily Vedomosti, Tkhalidzhokov revealed that Totti’s participation in the event came at a “six-figure sum in euros,” marking it as the most significant financial commitment for the award, which has been held annually since 2019.
From a public relations perspective, Tkhalidzhokov described the international attention as a success. He noted that previous editions of the ceremony had not attracted such widespread media coverage, pointing to the numerous Italian newspapers that have published articles featuring both the RB Award and Bookmaker Ratings logos.
However, concerns over potential pressure on Totti led the organizers to cancel certain promotional activities in Italy. Tkhalidzhokov acknowledged the possibility of further controversy and clarified that, due to the political tensions surrounding the event, Totti’s team had been advised not to hold any advertising events in Italy to avoid escalating the situation.