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 Newsdispatch 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.
Because of their Catalan heritage, Barcelona’s local fans are incredibly loyal to the region and the club.
This didn’t stop many of them rejoicing in Spain’s historic World Cup win, along with thousands of Spaniards living in Ireland.
It was Spain’s first World Cup title.
Spain were also the first team since West Germany in 1974 to win the World Cup as reigning European champions.