World Aquatics acknowledges Condemi brutality decision error

World Aquatics has this evening published a statement acknowledging that the brutality decision against Italy’s Francesco Condemi was incorrect.

The incident occurred during the men’s water polo quarterfinal in Paris, where Hungary narrowly defeated Italy 12-10 in a penalty shootout. The Hungarians secured a semifinal berth against Croatia on August 9.

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This evening’s statement follows Italy’s protest against the referee’s decision. The protest was reviewed and subsequently rejected. Italy, remaining resolute, appealed the decision. On August 8, the World Aquatics Jury of Appeal reviewed the case but upheld the original decision, citing Article 20.7.5 of the World Aquatics Competition Regulations, which states that a match result cannot be overturned due to a VAR decision.

The incident, which has provoked significant backlash on social media against World Aquatics, took place at 2:24 in the second quarter when Condemi was penalized for committing a violent action. The Video-Assisted Review (VAR) upheld the referee’s call, leading to Condemi’s exclusion from the game, a substitution allowed after four minutes, and a penalty throw awarded to Hungary, as stipulated by World Aquatics Competition Regulations Article 9.14.

Hungary capitalized on the opportunity, and despite Italy’s efforts, the match concluded in a tense penalty shootout with Hungary winning 3-1 on penalties, finalizing the score at 12-10.

According to World Aquatics, further review of additional video footage, which was allegedly not available during the match, indicated that Condemi’s action—striking a Hungarian player in the face—occurred as part of a normal shooting motion.

However, despite Italy’s hopes, the Jury of Appeal reaffirmed that the regulations prevented them from overturning the match result.

The decision stands, and Hungary will advance to the semifinals to face Croatia on August 9. Italy will compete in the Classification Round (5th-8th) against Spain on the same day.

World Aquatics expressed sympathy for Italy, acknowledging that the call was incorrect but maintained that the rules left no room for altering the outcome. The result of the Hungary-Italy quarterfinal was officially confirmed on August 8.