Ambassador complains to RTÉ over World Cup report
SENAN HOGAN, IRISH TIMES

THE SPANISH ambassador officially complained to RTÉ about a TV sports report during which Spanish people were branded as “idiots” on the day after they won the World Cup for the first time in their history.

The broadcaster also said it received three e-mails and a phone call from viewers about the “anti-Spanish” tone of the Nine O’ Clock News dispatch on celebrations in Barcelona, which is in the fiercely independent Catalan region.

During the report, soccer correspondent Tony O’Donoghue interviewed a woman, during a street party, who said: “I hate Spain. I am Catalan, not Spanish.”

O’Donoghue then asked: “Even after winning the World Cup?

She replied: “Spanish people is idiot!”

RTÉ said it took the official letter of complaint from Spanish ambassador, Dona Mercedes Rico, very seriously, and formally responded to it.

An RTÉ spokeswoman added: “Yes, I can confirm that we did receive a letter of complaint from the Spanish ambassador about a report that was broadcast on RTÉ News on Monday, 12th July, and we responded.

“We also received one phone call and three e-mails complaining about the report’s ‘anti-Spanish’ tone.”

Barcelona FC had six players on the starting 11 that eventually beat the Netherlands by 1-0 after extra time in Soccer City in Johannesburg on July 11th.