French TV network Canal+ has been forced to apologise for a clip mocking the coronavirus outbreak in Italy in its spoof “Corona Pizza” advert, AFP reported, citing comments by the channel’s spokeswoman.“Canal+ apologises to our Italian friends following the broadcast of a short sequence in very bad taste, especially in the current context, by making a caricatured reference to Italy in a satirical programme”, the Canal+ representative was quoted as saying.According to the spokeswoman, the controversial 10-second sketch has already been removed from “all reruns and replays of the channel”.“Canal+ is sending a letter of apology this afternoon to the Italian ambassador in Paris”, the spokesperson added.

The remarks were made following backlash that the channel experienced after running the mocking clip on Tuesday as part of the satirical programme “Groland”. In the spoof ad, an Italian pizzaioli was shown coughing and shaking, spitting green phlegm on a freshly cooked meal.“Here’s the new Italian pizza, which is going to spread around the world”, the female voice said, while the words “Corona Pizza – Covid 19” shown in the colours of Italy’s national flag appeared on the screen.