*This content was translated by AI.



Although the Venezuelan baseball team has achieved the feat of advancing to the WBC finals for the first time in history, it has been criticized by baseball fans around the world for its repeated words and actions that disparage the other country.
Venezuela came from behind to beat Italy 4-2 in the semifinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) at Rondipo Park in Miami, Florida on the 17th (Korea time). Starting with Ronald Acuña Jr.'s timely hit in the seventh inning when he was trailing 1-2, he turned the game around with consecutive timely hits by Maikel Garcia and Luis Arraez to win a dramatic victory.
However, the problem occurred after the game ended. In the process of Venezuelan fans enjoying the joy of victory, they sang a song that disparaged Italy's food culture. According to a video released by multiple media outlets, including US sports media "Zomboy Media," Venezuelan fans mocked their opponents by singing a song with the lyrics "We ate pizza" at Rondipo Park after beating Italy.
This is not the first time Venezuela has taken such a step. Immediately after beating Japan in the quarterfinals on the 15th, leading hitter Acuña Jr. expressed joy, saying, "I ate sushi" and "I ate sushi!" and caused controversy over disparagement and racism of Asians.
There are opinions that the remarks are not problematic, but there is an interpretation that there is a possibility of racism as well as respect. Japanese fans, as well as baseball fans around the world, were angry, saying, "There is no respect for the other country," but in just two days, they once again mocked Italy for its food culture.
As the video spreads, SNS and online communities are infested. Local fans in the U.S. are also raising their voices of criticism, saying, "The low-level way to celebrate victory" and "They are proving themselves how rude they are."
In particular, the shock of Japanese fans, who were eliminated from the quarterfinals after losing to Venezuela, is even greater. According to the full count of Japanese baseball media, Japanese fans are both despondent and angry, saying, "There is no sportsmanship," "I feel so bad that I was treated as a fool for being a sushi," and "I may have skills, but my dignity is the worst."
Now, Venezuela and the U.S. will face off for the WBC trophy at Rondipo Park at 9 a.m. on the 18th. The U.S. is trying to return to the top for the first time in nine years since the 2017 WBC, while Venezuela is looking to win as the 2009 WBC semifinals are the best after going to the finals for the first time. Rondipo Park is expected to heat up with enthusiasm as field reporters are watching the final match between the United States and Latin America.

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*This content was translated by AI.
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