Controversial Cup Final

Source: Guzmán Barquín on Unsplash

TV man sacked in Spain booing row

Spain's national television broadcaster has sacked its director of sports for censoring jeering during the national anthem before the national cup final.

Julian Reyes chose to show reporters in Bilbao and Barcelona instead of the events at Valencia's Mestalla stadium, which King Juan Carlos was *attending.

TVE later replayed the anthem at half-time, blaming "human error", but this time with the booing edited out.

On Thursday, TVE said Mr Reyes had taken responsibility for the incident.

The broadcaster's directors also said an investigation would be launched into why it had repeatedly blamed human error for not showing the anthem live.

Supporters of both Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao were said to be responsible for the boos, jeers and whistles which greeted the anthem on Wednesday night. Barcelona eventually won the Copa del Rey 4-1.

The clubs hail from Catalonia and the Basque Country, two provinces which have *demanded greater regional autonomy in recent years.

Source: BBC News 

What is your opinion on what happened?

Confusing words:

If you *attend an event or a meeting, you go to it (asistir). It is a formal word.

• Unfortunately, I can't attend the meeting due to a prior engagement.

If you assist someone, you help them (ayudar). It is a formal word.

• We need to hire someone to assist us with all the work we have at the moment.

If you *demand something, you ask for it forcefully.

• I was furious with the service and demanded to see the manager (exigir).

If you sue someone, you take legal action against them because of some wrong they have done you (demandar).

• The football player sued the newspaper for the lies they printed about him.

When did you last attend a meeting or a conference? What was it about?

Can you think of a famous case of someone being sued?

Can you think of a time when you demanded something?

Have you ever had to assist someone urgently?