The Spanish Embassy to Ireland sent an official letter of complaint to RTE, Ireland’s national broadcasting network.

The State broadcaster called the Spaniards “idiots” on the day after they won their first ever World Cup victory against the Netherlands.

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.

During the report one of the station’s soccer correspondents interviewed someone on at a street party in Barcelona who told him:"I hate Spain. I am Catalan, not Spanish."

O'Donoghue then asked: "Even after winning the World Cup?"

She replied: "Spanish people is idiot!"

RTE said that it was taking the official level of complaint very seriously and would be looking into any allegations made against the broadcaster.

A spokesperson for the station said that:

“Yes, I can confirm that we did receive a letter of complaint from the Spanish ambassador about a report that was broadcast on RTE 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."

Thousands of Spaniards living in Ireland took to the streets to rejoice after their national team’s victory in the biggest soccer tournament in the world.

Spain were also the first team since West Germany in 1974 to win the World Cup as reigning European champions.