Renier González, the sports commentator, has made his return as an analyst on a program of Cuban Television, following the fallout from a leaked audio that led to his temporary removal until public opinion settled.
The sports portal Swing Completo confirmed the news, stating that González was seen on a sports program dedicated to the Volleyball Nations League (VNL). "There, he dedicated a segment to the statistical analysis of everything that has happened so far in the competition. The tournament where Cuba is performing well, striving for its classification to the Paris 2024 Olympics, the only team sport on the Island with a chance to achieve this," the portal mentioned in its publication.
Less than a month ago, a leaked audio on social media exposed Renier González's harsh opinions about Cuban fans and baseball players. "Here, people seem to be afraid of the fans. What’s that? The fans don't know a damn thing about baseball! They pick on the weakest ones. The Series is crap! The players are worse than the umpires!" González is heard saying in the recording shared by Swing Completo.
In a moment of brutal honesty, the sports commentator criticized nearly every aspect of current Cuban baseball, expressing his opinions directly and even harshly against players and fans.
The immediate action was that the renowned commentator did not record the usual program Bola Viva, where he serves as an analyst alongside Carlos Hernández Luján, who hosts the show.
It was Hernández Luján himself who tried to clarify the situation a bit. "For all those asking about our friend and colleague Renier González, he still doesn't feel ready personally to start working. He is resting at home. There's no deeper meaning," he said during an episode of Bola Viva.
Former colleagues of González offered him advice following the incident, including journalist Julita Osendi. "I wish the best for my lifelong colleague; he's a great professional. Take care of your tongue, talk to the wall, trust no one. Because the person who sent you the video doesn't care about you or anyone else in the group," she advised.
In addition to Julita, many Cubans on social media have shown support for Renier, whom they regard as a serious professional with extensive knowledge of sports.
Renier González's Return: Key Questions Answered
In light of Renier González's return to Cuban Television, here are some essential questions and answers regarding the situation.
Why was Renier González removed from Cuban Television?
Renier González was temporarily removed following the release of a leaked audio where he expressed strong opinions about Cuban baseball fans and players.
What did Renier González say in the leaked audio?
In the leaked audio, Renier González criticized Cuban baseball fans and players, stating that the fans don't know much about baseball and that the players are worse than the umpires.