The clash between Ruben Van Gucht and
Remco Evenepoel will have a sequel. The VRT, Van Gucht's employer, promised to issue a statement, following statements made by the cycling presenter and journalist in the TV program De Afspraak.
While the cards have been revealed, an internal investigation within VRT is currently on-going. In a brief response, Van Gucht told
VRT: "I have contacted Remco and sent an audio message. I do not wish to comment further on this."
In context of Evenepoel's recent statements about his wife's religion and sport, the Belgian journalist made some inappropriate suggestions involving the relatives of Oumi Rayane, Remco's wife, who come from Morocco.
Remco Evenepoel quickly
slammed Ruben Van Gucht in an Instagram Story. But that's not the end of it. Besides Van Gucht's career threatened by this incident, his public image will be tainted too.
While professional consequences are yet to arrive, Van Gucht is already given a lot of flak on social media. Under his latest Instagram post - which has nothing to do with the situation - people accuse him of spreading lies and racism.
"Gossip based on possible racist intentions… nice answer from Remco", is one of the reactions.
"Remco put you in your place. And you don't deserve better than that!", writes someone else.
This comes not so long ago after Van Gucht confessed to be in an open relationship with his wife, former Croatian high jump star Blanka Vlasic, after being caught cheating on his wife during a live TV broadcast from his hotel room.
The important thing in the justification is overlooked once more, did anyone ask or even consider whether Blanka feels she is in an open relationship, and, more importantly, of her own free will or under pressure, does she have the financial independence needed to move on? All very easy to declare such a thing one-sidedly to the outside but not very smart in light of subsequent decisions.