Heron Vitaletti, the “father” of slow-motion replay, has died

The Italian sports and television worlds mourn the passing of Heron Vitaletti, a longtime RAI editor and a key figure in the development of the “moviola” system for analyzing controversial moments in soccer matches. Vitaletti passed away at the age of 96, leaving behind a legacy that helped forever change the way sports are covered and analyzed on TV.

The turning point came on February 28, 1965, during the program *La Domenica Sportiva*, then hosted by Enzo Tortora. On that occasion, a play from the match between Milan and Messina was shown in slow motion, giving rise to an innovation destined to revolutionize soccer commentary. Tortora introduced this tool to viewers, explaining how it would allow them to observe soccer “second by second”—a phrase that has gone down in history.

In the years that followed, the “moviola” became a regular and much-loved feature of Italian television. Starting with the 1969–1970 season, thanks in part to his collaboration with Carlo Sassi, slow-motion footage and analyses of refereeing decisions became a regular fixture in fans’ homes, fueling discussions and debates that would shape entire generations of supporters.

Before his work in sports television, Heron Vitaletti had gained experience as a film editor. He later joined RAI, where he also worked on editing the news at a time when news segments were still shot on film. “A professional career built on competence, discretion, and passion,” wrote Rai Senior—the association of retired employees of the state television network—in a statement of condolence, remembering Vitaletti.