Popular soccer commentator Huang Jianxiang apologized last night for his biased, emotional outburst during the Italy-Australia match on Monday that caused an uproar among Chinese netizens.

"After reviewing the match the next morning, I feel my comments contained too many personal feelings, which was not proper. I sincerely apologize to the audience for upsetting them," Huang said in a letter published on the China Central Television (CCTV) website.

He admitted that his performance was not befitting a sports commentator and pledged to "balance sense and sensibility" so as to remain fair and impartial.

Huang, 38, drew sharp criticism after he lost his cool during Italy's dramatic 1-0 World Cup win over Australia, shouting "Long Live Italy" and declaring: "I don't like the Australian team."

Online discussion forums on popular portals such as Sina.com and Sohu.com were yesterday flooded with messages about Huang's outburst, many criticizing him for his "hysterical" ranting in favour of Italy.

"Huang is biased and crazy; and has to quit as a soccer show host," said a post on Xinhuanet.com by Ximen Yidao.

"Huang went too far," said a message on Sina. "He shouldn't have extolled an ugly-playing Italian team and ridiculed the brave Australian squad."

The CCTV commentator screamed "Penalty! Penalty! Penalty!" when Fabio Grosso went down in a challenge and a last-minute penalty was awarded to the Italians.

"Grosso's done it, Grosso's done it!" he shouted in hoarse voice.

"Grosso represents the long history and tradition of Italian soccer, he's not fighting alone at this moment! He's not alone!"

More was to come when Francesco Totti converted the penalty to win the match and Huang had a special mention for Australia's Dutch coach Guus Hiddink, whose South Korea side knocked Italy out of the last World Cup.

"Goooooal! Game over! Italy win! Beat the Australians!" he shouted, his voice now breaking. "They do not fall in front of Hiddink again! Italy the great! Left back the great! Happy birthday to Maldini! Long Live Italy!

"The victory belongs to Italy, to Grosso... to everyone who loves Italian soccer!"

"Hiddink... finally reaped what he had sown! They should go home. They don't need to go as far as Australia as most of them are living in Europe. Farewell!"

But in an online survey by Sina.com, nearly half the respondents said Huang's passionate comments were not unfair. About 32 per cent said he was too biased in favour of Italy and nearly 14 per cent said his comments were improper.

Huang's colleagues at CCTV's sports department refused to comment yesterday.

Huang remained unrepentant in a post-game satellite linkup with the Beijing newsroom yesterday morning. He said he could not remember what he had said in the heat of the moment and his preference for Italy was because he had commentated on Serie A for many years.

"I'm more familiar with Italian players.

"I am a human being, not a machine, not a computer program, and I can't be objective, neutral, impartial and fair all the time," he said.

Australia recently joined the Asian Football Confederation and from the next World Cup will contest for one of the qualification spots.

"Australia will fight for an Asian World Cup berth and... it will very likely take advantage of the Chinese team. So I don't like it."

"It (Australia) is full of naturalized Australians who play and live in Britain. I don't want to see Australia have good results in the World Cup."

Chinese TV hosts' preferences sometimes come to the fore in the 2002 World Cup, CCTV hostess Shen Bing stunned millions of viewers as she openly wept at Argentina's early exit.

Source: China Daily