During high-stakes international soccer tournaments like the Euros, passionate debates between players and referees are commonplace. Think back to any major European Championship match – a disputed penalty, a borderline offside call, or a questionable foul. Moments of intense discussion erupt, with players swarming the referee, eager to plead their case. But consider this: these players hail from diverse linguistic backgrounds, and the referee often speaks yet another language. How do they effectively communicate in these critical moments?
This situation isn’t unique to the Euros; it’s a recurring scenario in any international soccer competition. Teams from across Europe, and indeed the globe, converge, bringing with them a medley of languages. Couple this with referees who are also internationally sourced, and you have a fascinating communication puzzle playing out on the pitch every match.
Referee Andres Cunha disallows Iran’s first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Iran and Spain at Kazan Arena on June 20, 2018 in Kazan, Russia. (Getty Images)
Image alt text: Soccer referee Andres Cunha signaling ‘no goal’ during a match between Iran and Spain, highlighting the importance of non-verbal communication in international football.
It begs the question: how do referees maintain control and communicate effectively when faced with a cacophony of languages and fervent player protests? It’s rare to see a game without players vehemently contesting decisions – was it a dive? A foul? Offside? The intensity of these exchanges is amplified by the language barrier.
Of course, there are universal elements of communication on the field. Hand gestures, expressive facial cues, and even theatrical pantomime play a role. Furthermore, soccer has its own visual language of universally understood hand signals for common calls like goals, corner kicks, penalties, and substitutions.
However, over the course of a 90-minute match, relying solely on gestures seems insufficient, especially when emotions run high and nuanced explanations might be necessary. Can a referee truly manage a game when players are passionately arguing in languages they don’t understand, while attempting to respond in yet another tongue?
Interestingly, the rules of soccer are designed to facilitate refereeing even without spoken language. Gestures are officially sanctioned and expected. Even the iconic yellow and red cards were conceived to transcend language barriers in international play, a visual system of discipline understood regardless of spoken language.
FIFA, the global governing body of soccer, recognizes four official languages: English, German, French, and Spanish. But is it realistic to expect referees and players to be fluent in all of them during a match? Probably not.
Leading up to major tournaments like the World Cup and European Championships, FIFA conducts training conferences for prospective referees. Beyond rigorous fitness assessments (referees can cover 10-12 kilometers per game), a key requirement for officiating at the highest level is proficiency in English.
While referees may possess multilingual capabilities, English has largely become the lingua franca of international soccer officiating. This was highlighted during the 2014 World Cup when a Croatian player claimed the Japanese referee in their match against Brazil “didn’t speak English.” This claim was swiftly refuted by the Japanese FA, emphasizing that English is the working language of referee seminars and international assignments.
Much like in the Olympics, where English has overtaken French as the primary language of officials, English has become the default communication tool in international soccer.
Therefore, it’s reasonable to conclude that the majority of verbal communication between referees and players during the Euros and other major international soccer events occurs in English. While it might not be as exotic as some might imagine, the prevalence of English ensures a degree of clarity and understanding amidst the linguistic diversity of the beautiful game.
So, while the passion of the Euros is expressed in countless languages by players and fans alike, behind the scenes, a common language – English – helps ensure the smooth and fair conduct of the tournament.
