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Italian Volleyball Federation probes coach James Martins after beach final incident
The women's Italian Cup beach‑volleyball final was held in Montesilvano, Italy, on 3 August 2026. During a timeout in the second set, coach James Martins, who leads the pair Chiara They and Sara Breidenbach, was seen on live television grabbing each athlete by the arm. Chiara They reacted loudly, shouting “La smetti? Basta!”. The duo eventually lost the match to Federica Frasca and Alice Gradini.
The Italian Volleyball Federation (FIPAV) issued a statement condemning the behaviour as “unacceptable”, quoting President Giuseppe Manfredi: “Le immagini viste sono inaccettabili e rappresentano un comportamento che condanniamo con assoluta fermezza”. The federation announced that it has opened an investigation, reported the incident to the competent authorities, and will hear all parties involved to reconstruct the exact dynamics of the event.
The episode was broadcast on Rai Sport, spread widely on social media, and sparked public debate about safeguarding policies in sport. No further comment has been made by the athletes.
Entities
Chiara They · Giuseppe Manfredi · Italian Volleyball Federation · Italian Volleyball Federation (FIPAV) · James Martins · Montesilvano · Sara Breidenbach
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 5 SOURCES] The women's Italian Cup beach‑volleyball final was held in Montesilvano. www.adnkronos.com · www.notizie.it · www.inliberta.it · lecodellitorale.it · www.spotandweb.it
- [● 5 SOURCES] Coach James Martins had a heated discussion with athletes Chiara They and Sara Breidenbach during a timeout of the second set. www.adnkronos.com · www.notizie.it · www.inliberta.it · lecodellitorale.it · www.spotandweb.it
- [● 5 SOURCES] The match was won by Federica Frasca and Alice Gradini. www.adnkronos.com · www.notizie.it · www.inliberta.it · lecodellitorale.it · www.spotandweb.it
- [● 5 SOURCES] FIPAV activated its competent bodies to investigate the incident. www.adnkronos.com · www.notizie.it · www.inliberta.it · lecodellitorale.it · www.spotandweb.it
- [● 5 SOURCES] The final was the sixth stage of the Italian Championship and the third Gold event of the season. www.adnkronos.com · www.notizie.it · www.inliberta.it · lecodellitorale.it · www.spotandweb.it
- [● 5 SOURCES] James Martins allegedly grabbed each athlete’s arm during the discussion. www.adnkronos.com · www.notizie.it · www.inliberta.it · lecodellitorale.it · www.spotandweb.it
- [● 5 SOURCES] The Italian Volleyball Federation (FIPAV) issued a statement condemning Martins’ behavior as unacceptable. www.adnkronos.com · www.notizie.it · www.inliberta.it · lecodellitorale.it · www.spotandweb.it
- [● 5 SOURCES] Chiara They responded, “La smetti? Basta!” (Stop? Enough!). www.adnkronos.com · www.notizie.it · www.inliberta.it · lecodellitorale.it · www.spotandweb.it