Really interesting

Hola Inma, the element of “trying to avoid responsibility” makes this much clearer for me. It is very common in Irish English - technically Hiberno-English - to say “Oh he had a match football match today,” or “no she’s not here because she had an appointment,” etc etc while speaking in the present. Not to overstate this there is a sense of being sensitive to the other persons likely disappointment. Alan K suggests that this construction is also known in UK English though I haven’t come across it much. I can’t find any equivalent for the future events aspect of the lesson, so it’s a new learning. Saludos. John