Latest news with #AndyWest
Scottish Sun
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Why Real Betis are the NEWCASTLE of Spanish football as they gear up for Chelsea clash in Conference League final
Betis have one of football's most unique traditions every Christmas THE REAL DEAL Why Real Betis are the NEWCASTLE of Spanish football as they gear up for Chelsea clash in Conference League final CHELSEA face Real Betis in the Conference League final. Spanish football expert Andy West gives the lowdown on the Seville-based club and reveals their similarities to a Premier League side. Advertisement 5 Real Betis have never made it beyond a European quarter-final before Credit: Reuters 5 Former Premier League winner Manuel Pellegrini is their boss Credit: Reuters Real Betis are seen as a regional powerhouse, attracting an average attendance of more than 50,000 loyal fans. They also have a passionate wider fanbase scattered across the country, who display their famous striped shirts as a proud symbol of identity. But their big-club status has rarely been matched by on-field success, with several stints in the second tier testing the patience of long-suffering supporters. Yes, there is a strong case for arguing that Betis are Spain's equivalent of Newcastle United. Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL DONE DEL Man Utd 'agree Liam Delap deal with personal terms over £30m transfer accepted' And after Toon's trophy drought ended with March's Carabao Cup glory, Betis fans are praying the comparison continues as they seek European silverware in the Conference League final against Enzo Maresca's Chelsea. The Spanish side are enjoying the most consistently successful spell in their history, qualifying for Europe every season since the 2020 arrival of coach Manuel Pellegrini. They have also claimed domestic silverware, winning the Copa del Rey in 2022. But the Blues clash is a first chance at continental glory for a club that had never progressed beyond European quarter-finals until this season. Advertisement JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 5 CHELSEA VS REAL BETIS - CONFERENCE LEAGUE FINAL STREAM AND TV INFO On the subject of success, one big difference between Betis and Newcastle is that the former have a major rival in their own city. Advertisement And it is cross-town Sevilla who have hogged the headlines in recent years by winning the Europa League SEVEN times since 2006. However, Betis are the better supported of the two clubs, as Seville native Javier Gancedo explained: 'Within the city, there's an even split between Betis and Sevilla fans. 'But across the rest of Andalusia, nobody else supports Sevilla because they are the traditional team of the city's ruling class who controlled everything. 'On the other hand, Betis have always been for the working class. And their green and white colours are the same as the Andalusia flag, showing how they represent people from all over the region.' Advertisement Andalusia saw around 1.5 million people emigrate there during the 1950s and 1960s to find work in cities like Madrid and Barcelona. They took their love for Betis with them. Andalusia is culturally unique — tapas and flamenco, hot sun and hotter emotions, fed by strong traces of Muslim and Gypsy cultures. That mix comes together — expressive and creative football is a given, best embodied in the club's greatest ever player, Joaquin. When he retired two years ago after making 528 appearances, the winger said: 'We Beticos are different. It's a way of life united by passion and love... a completely different way of seeing football.' Advertisement Their fans have a heart-warming Christmas tradition of throwing soft toys on to the pitch at half-time, so they can be collected and donated to local underprivileged children. Swap the fog on the Tyne for scorching sunshine, and exchange Geordie grit for Spanish flair. But the intensity of support — and the long wait for silverware — is the same. And if the comparison between Newcastle and Betis continues with a trophy, the celebrations will be just as memorable. 5 Ex-Real Madrid man Isco is their key player Credit: Getty Advertisement
The Irish Sun
27-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Why Real Betis are the NEWCASTLE of Spanish football as they gear up for Chelsea clash in Conference League final
CHELSEA face Real Betis in the Conference League final. Spanish football expert Andy West gives the lowdown on the Seville-based club and reveals their similarities to a Premier League side. 5 Real Betis have never made it beyond a European quarter-final before Credit: Reuters 5 Former Premier League winner Manuel Pellegrini is their boss Credit: Reuters They also have a passionate wider fanbase scattered across the country, who display their famous striped shirts as a proud symbol of identity. But their big-club status has rarely been matched by on-field success, with several stints in the second tier testing the patience of long-suffering supporters. Yes, there is a strong case for arguing that Betis are Spain's equivalent of READ MORE IN FOOTBALL And after Toon's trophy drought ended with March's Carabao Cup glory, Betis fans are praying the comparison continues as they seek European silverware in the The Spanish side are enjoying the most consistently successful spell in their history, qualifying for Europe every season since the 2020 arrival of coach Manuel Pellegrini. They have also claimed domestic silverware, winning the Copa del Rey in 2022. But the Blues clash is a first chance at continental glory for a club that had never progressed beyond European quarter-finals until this season. Most read in Football JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 5 CHELSEA VS REAL BETIS - CONFERENCE LEAGUE FINAL STREAM AND TV INFO On the subject of success, one big difference between Betis and Newcastle is that the former have a major rival in their own city. And it is cross-town Sevilla who have hogged the headlines in recent years by winning the Europa League SEVEN times since 2006. However, Betis are the better supported of the two clubs, as Seville native Javier Gancedo explained: 'Within the city, there's an even split between Betis and Sevilla fans. 'But across the rest of Andalusia, nobody else supports Sevilla because they are the traditional team of the city's ruling class who controlled everything. 'On the other hand, Betis have always been for the working class. And their green and white colours are the same as the Andalusia flag, showing how they represent people from all over the region.' Andalusia saw around 1.5 million people emigrate there during the 1950s and 1960s to find work in cities like Madrid and Barcelona. They took their love for Betis with them. Andalusia is culturally unique — tapas and flamenco, hot sun and hotter emotions, fed by strong traces of Muslim and Gypsy cultures. That mix comes together — expressive and creative football is a given, best embodied in the club's greatest ever player, Joaquin. When he retired two years ago after making 528 appearances, the winger said: 'We Beticos are different. It's a way of life united by passion and love... a completely different way of seeing football.' Their fans have a heart-warming Christmas tradition of Swap the fog on the Tyne for scorching sunshine, and exchange Geordie grit for Spanish flair. But the intensity of support — and the long wait for silverware — is the same. And if the comparison between Newcastle and Betis continues with a trophy, the celebrations will be just as memorable. 5 Ex-Real Madrid man Isco is their key player Credit: Getty 5 Betis will hope to end their long wait for silverware like Newcastle Credit: Getty
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Royal Television Society Scraps Special Award For Gaza Journalists, Telling Jurors It Doesn't Want To 'Add Fuel To Fire' Of Scandal Around BBC Film
EXCLUSIVE: The Royal Television Society (RTS) has sparked anger after a late decision to scrap a special recognition award for journalists in Gaza at last night's TV Journalism Awards. In an email to jury chairs seen by Deadline, the RTS said it did not wish to 'add fuel to the fire' around Gaza: How to Survive a War Zone, the BBC documentary that was pulled after it was revealed that the child narrator was the son of a Hamas minister. More from Deadline 'BBC Breakfast' Editor Was Rewarded With More Power After Facing Bullying & Misconduct Claims 'Matilda The Musical' Scribe Dennis Kelly Penning BBC Adaptation Of Andy West's Prison Memoir 'The Life Inside' Long-Serving BBC Comms Boss John Shield To Exit After A Decade Adrian Wells, chair of the RTS Television Journalism Awards, said: 'We had planned to award it to 'Journalists in Gaza' to recognise their enormous efforts over the last 18 months or so of extreme pressure and endeavour. However, this award, in the end will not be given on Wednesday.' He added: 'Already this has become a political football and the RTS is keen not to add fuel to the fire in this current environment. It is a shame that this cannot proceed but rest assured there is a very strong showing and recognition of journalism from Gaza throughout the rest of the evening.' Wells explicitly referenced attacks against the BBC's film from right-wing newspapers, as well as criticism of Channel 4 News for also featuring in its coverage 14-year-old Abdullah Al-Yazouri, the son of Ayman Al-Yazouri, the deputy minister of agriculture in Gaza's Hamas-run government. In a statement, an RTS spokesperson said: 'Investigations have recently been launched into a number of news reports from Gaza and, as those reviews are ongoing, we didn't feel it was appropriate to proceed with the award this year.' One senior news executive described the decision as 'spineless.' Ben de Pear, the former editor of Channel 4 News and founder of Basement Films, took issue with the U-turn on X/Twitter. 'The decision was taken because of failures/omissions in the telling of a story in the UK; not because of Gazans' failures. They were punished and excluded in a last minute and unaccountable process without referral or participation of the RTS Journalism members/juries or chairs,' De Pear wrote. 'Presenters & winners repeatedly cited the battle for truth we are in across world, the importance of television journalism & the bravery of those targeted for it & then the very organisation which presides over the recognition of all of this cancels the very award recognising it.' ITV News was the big winner on the night, claiming eight awards including Camera Person of the Year, Emerging Young Talent of the Year, and News Coverage – International for its investigation of the war in the Middle East. Elsewhere, Al-Yazouri has given an interview to the Middle East Eye about the BBC's decision to drop Hoyo Films documentary Gaza: How to Survive a War Zone. 'I did not agree to the risk of me being targeted in any shape before the documentary was broadcast — so if anything happens, the BBC is responsible for it,' he said. Best of Deadline 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery 2025 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Tonys, Emmys & More 2025 TV Cancellations: Photo Gallery
