Sotiris Tsafoulias intervened live on the ANT1 morning show “To Proino” on Thursday, November 5, to challenge the program’s characterization of his recent comments regarding Angeliki Iliadi and Sabrina. The director accused the show’s host, Giorgos Liagas, and his team of distorting his statements and misleading the audience.
The dispute regarding Angeliki Iliadi and Sabrina
The dispute originated from a previous interview Tsafoulias gave to the online show Rainbow Mermaids. In that conversation, Tsafoulias discussed public reactions to his views on abortion rights, expressing surprise that Iliadi and Sabrina had criticized him. He had described the two women as individuals who were pioneers in their era and who had broken social stereotypes.
During Thursday’s broadcast, Liagas and his panel analyzed those comments, arguing that the director had initially attempted to belittle the singers before attempting to soften his stance. Giorgos Liagas stated on air: I believe he started to say, “Are Sabrina and Iliadi going to judge me for lack of education?” And as soon as he realized himself that if that were heard, he would receive the dressing-down of the century, he said they were pioneers.
Sotiris Tsafoulias intervened live on “to Proino”
Tsafoulias responded by calling the show to refute the interpretation of his words. He insisted that he never questioned the educational background of the two women, asserting that his remarks were misrepresented.
I did not expect this from you at all. You are off-topic and you are misleading the public to such a degree. Did I speak about educational level? You didn’t hear it; play the full statement.
Sotiris Tsafoulias, director
The director maintained that he was specifically reacting to being accused of ignorance—or αμορφωσιά
—by figures he viewed as having challenged conventions themselves. He emphasized that he had not insulted the singers, characterizing his public discourse as being rooted in defending the right of others to speak without personal attacks.
Giorgos Liagas acknowledged the tension
Liagas acknowledged the tension during the live segment, admitting that he had interpreted the director’s initial remarks as a slight. You have clarified it absolutely, and here there is a definitive full stop,
the host said, attempting to conclude the disagreement. Liagas added that he held the director’s work and aesthetic in high regard, attributing the conflict to a misunderstanding of the original interview.
The program also addressed the reaction of Sabrina, who had previously commented on the director’s stance.
Sissy Christidou noted the tone of the public exchange
The controversy also drew commentary from other media figures. In other words, if it wasn’t an attack on Sotiris Tsafoulias and it was her position on abortion—which I believe every position is respected by all of us—
she observed.
