- 28 Nov 2003 14:14
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Lo sentimos (We're sorry)
By Charles Miranda
November 29, 2003
THE Davis Cup final between Spain and Australia began in controversy after the wrong Spanish anthem was played at the opening ceremony yesterday.
Spanish supporters led by visiting Spanish Sports Minister Juan Antonio Gomez-Angulo waved wildly in protest when trumpeter James Morrison started up the wrong song.
Spaniards in the Melbourne crowd then tried to hum the real national anthem, popularly known as The Marcha Real (Royal March), as Tennis Australia raced to get the right tune.
What jazz legend Morrison played was the 1931 Himno de Riego - which was a military ode to General Jose Riego and an uprising in 1820.
The correct anthem, also a military march, has been around since the 13th century, but was popularised in the late 1970s in honour of the Spanish Royal family and King Juan Carlos.
Spaniards from around the country flooded radio stations and diplomatic posts with protests. An infuriated Spanish Sports Minister Juan Antonio Gomez Angulo, who angrily stormed out of the VIP grandstand, expressed "absolute indignation" at what he said was an offence to the Spanish nation.
He has instructed the Spanish Ambassador to Australia, Jose Ramon Baranano, to seek a formal apology from Australia.
Melbourne Consul General Federico Palomera, who was also at the arena, said it was a "shameful" episode.
"I was initially extremely
bewildered with this unrecognisable song but then really angry," he told The Daily Telegraph.
"Actually it was an insult to the players, to the people and to the kingdom of Spain.
"I have heard that somebody in Tennis Australia was saying that they were given the wrong sheet music by a Spanish diplomat in Melbourne.
"That is not right because that is me - and I never gave anybody anything.
"Personally I think it was a mix-up and I would rather not think it was done on purpose in response to what happened in the crowds in Barcelona in 2001."
In Barcelona, the Australian Davis Cup team criticised the Spanish team for inciting a baying crowd. Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt said it was the worst reception they'd ever had.
Tennis Australia president Geoff Pollard yesterday apologised for the mistake.
"Understandably, the Spanish team, officials and supporters were clearly dismayed at the error which ... was unintentional and for which we unreservedly apologise," he said.
The Daily Telegraph
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_pag ... 02,00.html
Get News by Email Print This Article Email This Article
Lo sentimos (We're sorry)
By Charles Miranda
November 29, 2003
THE Davis Cup final between Spain and Australia began in controversy after the wrong Spanish anthem was played at the opening ceremony yesterday.
Spanish supporters led by visiting Spanish Sports Minister Juan Antonio Gomez-Angulo waved wildly in protest when trumpeter James Morrison started up the wrong song.
Spaniards in the Melbourne crowd then tried to hum the real national anthem, popularly known as The Marcha Real (Royal March), as Tennis Australia raced to get the right tune.
What jazz legend Morrison played was the 1931 Himno de Riego - which was a military ode to General Jose Riego and an uprising in 1820.
The correct anthem, also a military march, has been around since the 13th century, but was popularised in the late 1970s in honour of the Spanish Royal family and King Juan Carlos.
Spaniards from around the country flooded radio stations and diplomatic posts with protests. An infuriated Spanish Sports Minister Juan Antonio Gomez Angulo, who angrily stormed out of the VIP grandstand, expressed "absolute indignation" at what he said was an offence to the Spanish nation.
He has instructed the Spanish Ambassador to Australia, Jose Ramon Baranano, to seek a formal apology from Australia.
Melbourne Consul General Federico Palomera, who was also at the arena, said it was a "shameful" episode.
"I was initially extremely
bewildered with this unrecognisable song but then really angry," he told The Daily Telegraph.
"Actually it was an insult to the players, to the people and to the kingdom of Spain.
"I have heard that somebody in Tennis Australia was saying that they were given the wrong sheet music by a Spanish diplomat in Melbourne.
"That is not right because that is me - and I never gave anybody anything.
"Personally I think it was a mix-up and I would rather not think it was done on purpose in response to what happened in the crowds in Barcelona in 2001."
In Barcelona, the Australian Davis Cup team criticised the Spanish team for inciting a baying crowd. Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt said it was the worst reception they'd ever had.
Tennis Australia president Geoff Pollard yesterday apologised for the mistake.
"Understandably, the Spanish team, officials and supporters were clearly dismayed at the error which ... was unintentional and for which we unreservedly apologise," he said.
The Daily Telegraph
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_pag ... 02,00.html
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