A CEO has faced widespread backlash after appearing in video footage to snatch a signed hat from a young boy during a match at the US Open. The incident, which sparked outrage online, led to the man being called a “douchebag millionaire” and “retarded scumbag loser” by social media users.

The CEO, identified as Piotr, initially avoided public comment but later issued an apology. However, the statement that went viral on platforms like X was revealed to be a fabricated message. A genuine apology published on his Facebook page clarified the situation.

“I take full responsibility for my extremely poor judgment and hurtful actions,” Piotr wrote. He explained that he mistakenly believed the hat was being handed to him by tennis player Kamill Majchrzak, who had previously signed it for a child. “The actions I took hurt the young boy and disappointed the fans.”

Piotr stated he returned the hat to the boy and extended sincere apologies to his family. He also denied any involvement in spreading false statements online, emphasizing that neither he nor his family commented on the matter publicly.

Despite the controversy, the incident ended on a positive note, with the boy receiving the signed hat and meeting Majchrzak for a photo. The tennis player was praised for handling the situation gracefully.