Peruvian television presenter Magaly Medina has publicly criticised sports broadcaster Paco Bazán following his recent appearance alongside former footballer Jefferson Farfán on the podcast La Manada. Medina accused the presenter of workplace disloyalty and suggested that his relationship with singer Susana Alvarado has negatively affected his media career.
The host of ATV show El deportivo en la otra cancha faced sharp criticism from Medina after footage surfaced showing Farfán greeting Bazán with a warm embrace on the digital program. The encounter sparked backlash from Medina due to ongoing legal disputes between Farfán, Medina, and the ATV network.
Controversy over podcast appearance
Medina expressed indignation over Bazán appearing alongside Farfán, referencing a court case involving the former player, Medina, and ATV. In that legal battle, courts awarded Farfán 300 million soles in financial compensation from the network and the television host.
Accusing Bazán of taking advantage of the general manager's absence to make the appearance, Medina alleged that the sports presenter was seeking alternative employment. She stated that Bazán appeared to be looking for work on Farfán's digital channel, Satélite, hoping to launch his own streaming program with a colleague who considers himself a galactic figure to increase viewer numbers.
Medina described Bazán's hiring as a complete mistake by network executives who invested substantial money but are suffering losses, arguing that the situation has led Bazán to act flatteringly toward network rivals despite his claims of respecting his contract with ATV.
Bazán is a former professional football goalkeeper who transitioned into television hosting, anchoring sports programs for ATV in Peru. Farfán, a retired Peruvian international forward who played for European clubs including PSV Eindhoven and Schalke 04, has expanded into digital media and podcasting following his retirement from professional football. ATV, owned by Andina de Televisión, is one of Peru's major nationwide terrestrial television networks.
Impact of romantic relationship
Turning her attention to Bazán's personal life, Medina commented on his relationship with singer Susana Alvarado, his partner of eighteen months. Medina claimed that Bazán's connection with Alvarado marked the beginning of his professional distancing from her show and suggested that the relationship has contributed to his reduced public profile.
Medina stated that Bazán had been absent from the public eye for an extended period, noting that romantic partners in life either help a person grow or cause them to disappear. She claimed Bazán was seeking media attention because his name was no longer circulating in public discussions.
Alvarado is a lead vocalist for Corazón Serrano, a prominent Peruvian cumbia group founded in Piura that has remained one of the country's most commercially successful musical ensembles. ATV has continued to finance legal fees and damages arising from litigation while Bazán continues his broadcasting duties.
Concluding her remarks, Medina alleged that Bazán was surrounded by flatterers while ATV covered his legal defence costs, even as he openly praised an adversary of the network. Addressing Bazán directly, she stated that his actions demonstrated a complete disregard for his position and a lack of professional ethics.
