They were probably cracking on with their jigs and reels as tightly as possible to keep out the confounded guitar player, not to ignore him. I've seen more sessions ruined by an entitled guitar owner who's been unwisely encouraged than by any other instrument, and certainly more than I've seen football matches ruined by what we footie fans called shithousery. The latter is at the most sporadic behaviour and is usually exacerbated by weak refereeing, for which Premier League football especially is notorious.

As for tellies vs sessions in pubs, a little forbearance is required here. Let's not forget that the word "pub" is short for public house, and that far more people enjoy watching telly, including football on telly, than enjoy diddley sessions, and that the landlord has to make a living. This should be about negotiation, not puerile sniping. I've seen that done successfully many times.