Alessandro Gassmann, a prominent Italian actor, openly criticized the Sanremo Festival, particularly targeting the rules surrounding participant eligibility for the event. His comments came during the ongoing cover night of the festival which features various artists including his son, Leo Gassmann. The controversy arose when Tredici Pietro, the son of Gianni Morandi, performed alongside his father, leading Gassmann to express his frustration about perceived unequal treatment of participants at the festival.

In a candid post on Instagram, Gassmann pointed out that while it is commonly believed that relatives of competing artists cannot participate, this rule was seemingly ignored in Morandi's case. He called the regulations "nonsensical" and argued that it is unfair for some to have preferential privileges over others in such a competitive environment. This has sparked discussions about the integrity and fairness of the Sanremo Festival, which is a major cultural event in Italy.

Gassmann's statements have stirred significant public interest, as the Sanremo Festival is not only a notable musical event but also a symbolic representation of Italian pop culture. His critique raises questions regarding transparency in the festival's practices, especially with the growing trend of featuring artists from established artistic families. Many fans and commentators will keenly follow any developments regarding this ongoing dispute, as it may impact the festival's reputation and the public's perception of fairness in artistic contests.