Officials at the top level of the game may find themselves having to explain decisions to players from all over the world, so how do they communicate?
The Champions League and Europa League showcase football at its most diverse, with players, officials and, of course, fans from all over the world, all speaking different languages.
The 2020 Champions League final, for example, featured players from 11 countries from Europe, Africa, plus North, South and Central America.
Such diversity helps create arguably the highest standard of football played anywhere on the planet.
It also presents challenges, particularly for the referees tasked with keeping play within the rules. While club captains should be the main figures talking to referees on the pitch, the reality is often very different, and an official could find themself having to explain a decision to players from six different continents at once.
So how do they communicate?
To officiate a Champions League or Europa League match, UEFA referees must be able to speak English. Referees will generally speak to players in English as it is the most commonly spoken language in Europe.
According to Ethnologue, English remains the most widely spoken language in the world, with more than 1.25 billion people able to speak English as a first or second language. Babbel estimates around half of Europeans between 15 and 35 years old speak good English.
At international level, FIFA has four official languages: English, Spanish, French and German. Again, international referees must be able to speak good English.
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FAQs
To officiate a Champions League or Europa League match, UEFA referees must be able to speak English. Referees will generally speak to players in English as it is the most commonly spoken language in Europe.
What language do the referees speak? ›
English as the international language of football
The use of English by FIFA referees reflects English's dominance when it comes to international communications, despite its only being the world's third most spoken language. In many ways, it seems strange that English has eclipsed Spanish in this respect.
What is the official language of UEFA? ›
The three official languages of UEFA are English, French and German. UEFA employs people who have language skills and professional expertise in specific areas, and who are ready to develop.
How are referees chosen for Champions League? ›
The Referees Committee appoints the referee team for each match. Only referees whose names appear on the official FIFA list of referees are eligible. The Referees Committee's decision is final.
What language do Champions League refs speak? ›
So how do they communicate? To officiate a Champions League or Europa League match, UEFA referees must be able to speak English. Referees will generally speak to players in English as it is the most commonly spoken language in Europe.
What language do Premier League refs have to speak? ›
English has rightfully or not, become the closest thing we have to an international language. Soccer referees for FIFA and UEFA, Europe's soccer federation, may speak several languages, but English is generally the default.
Do FIFA World Cup refs speak multiple languages? ›
With English being the most widely spoken language in the world, FIFA requires that referees and other officials speak English and one other official language. This way, international refs are able to communicate with each other and with players who have at least some limited knowledge of English.
Do World Cup refs get paid? ›
The referees get $70k per tournament as a flat fee, and a $3k bonus for every game they complete. The assistant referees get $25k and a $2k game bonus. The World Cup final referee will receive a commemorative medal as well as an all-new stash. Please watch our video and subscribe to the channel.
Is there an English referee at the World Cup? ›
FIFA have appointed a total of 129 match officials for the World Cup 2022 being held in Qatar including 35 referees and two of them are from the English Premier League.
What are the three languages of the UEFA? ›
The lyrics are in UEFA's three official languages: English, French, and German.
At international level, FIFA has four official languages: English, Spanish, French and German. Again, international referees must be able to speak good English.
What language does the Real Madrid team speak? ›
But at Real Madrid, players are held to higher standards by fans and the media, particularly when it comes to speaking Spanish.
Do referees get championship rings? ›
Do Officials Get A Super Bowl Ring? Yes. "I don't wear them that much anymore," said Green, who has three, "but I do keep them in a safe place. It's the same thing the players are shooting for and the coaches are shooting for: You want to be on the field for that last game of the year."
What do Champions League referees get paid? ›
Money rises depending on game quality
| Champions League referee salary |
|---|
| First Tier | $3000 (£2,382) | $750 (£595) |
| Elite Development | $6,500 (£5,161) | $2,000 (£1,588) |
| Elite | $10,000 (£7,940) | $3,000 (£2,382) |
| Information per Sporting Free |
3 more rowsFeb 16, 2024
Referee salaries in the Premier League
On average, they're collected €1,300 (£1,140) per match and €3,700 (£3,246) per month. As with every referee in Europe, they earn a massive €7,000 (£6,147) for every Champions League match. That gives them an average annual salary of €110,000 (£96,634).
Do referees speak multiple languages? ›
English and French are the official languages of FIFA. During matches they basically speak English. Every referee has the obligation to speak English and one more language, usually their native language, but some of them speak three languages.
What language do FIFA players speak? ›
They do not have to talk to perceive the referee's decisions, but what if they want to protest and argue? According to the FIFA website (2022), there are four accepted official languages during the tournaments: French, Spanish, English, and German.
What language does Pierluigi Collina speak? ›
He's a truly international figure. He's Italian but he speaks three languages: English, Spanish and a little French. He doesn't like eating chicken. His last international match was Portugal vs Slovakia in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
