TV host apologizes for false report stating Messi's father had died

Argentinian actress and TV host Florencia Peña has publicly apologizing to Lionel Messi’s family after a false report stating that his father, Jorge, had died.

During a broadcast for Luzu TV, she claimed that Jorge Messi was dead.

Luzu TV announced that the employees involved in spreading the false information were fired. Both sides stated that Peña ended her collaboration with the broadcaster on her own accord.

“I ask the Messi family for forgiveness during this terrible moment they are, as I can imagine, going through right now,” Peña wrote on Instagram on Thursday.

She said the false report was passed on to her by the show’s production team in the middle of the live broadcast.

According to Argentinian media, Peña told a reporter that she was “deeply ashamed.”

The head of Zulu TV said: “What just happened on Luzu’s show outrages me just as much as it does all of you. It doesn’t reflect who I am, nor does it reflect what we want to convey through our work.”

Following the report, the Messi family issued a statement saying that Jorge Messi is going through health-related issues and currently under medical care.

He missed Argentina’s World Cup opener against Algeria, in which Messi scored a hat-trick in a 3-0 win and equalled Miroslav Klose’s record of most goals at World Cups (16).

His family expressed significant distress over “irresponsible” rumours about Jorge.

“In light of the reports, rumours and speculation that have circulated in recent hours, the family wishes to express its deep discomfort with the lack of sensitivity, respect, and discretion with which some people have treated what is strictly a private family matter,” the statement read.

“The family also wishes to clarify that only his closest relatives have real and accurate information regarding Jorge’s condition. Therefore, any version, statement, or information that does not come directly from the family and its official channels should not be considered valid or truthful.”