In the World Cup or any other sports event involving nations from all around the world, the players are often quarreling with the ref over disputed calls or officiating - and since these refs are usually from a nation not associated with whichever teams are playing (i.e., if Egypt and France are playing, maybe it’ll be a Canadian or Mexican referee who will be officiating).
So what language are they using to quarrel with the refs in? At the international level, are most of the players fluent in English, and the refs as well? Or are they actually using their native language even if the ref doesn’t understand it?
I watched a video of a game between Japan and China (officiated by a Kuwaiti ref, I think) and from reading the lips, the Chinese players were speaking the *Mandarin *word for “handball” to complain to the ref - and surely the ref couldn’t understand that?
You’re assuming that arguing with the refs is about communication, rather than just venting. Really, how often do refs, in any sport, listen to players complaining and then say “Wait, you’re right, I blew that call” and reverse it?
English is the language in which international soccer is officiated in and a FIFA international referee must be able to speak English. There’s no such requirement for players, but in practice any international team will have at least several players who can speak English. However the use of other languages isn’t strictly prohibited, so an Iraqi referee officiating a game between Saudi Arabia and Egypt would probably speak to the players in Arabic.
I assume only a minority of international players can speak English. However, probably a majority can speak English or know a very limited form of soccer based English. You only need about a dozen or so words or phrases - offside, handball, wtf ref etc. Many of these words and phrases are already used by foreign commentators.
English commentators often bemoan foreign players showing an imaginary card to a referee when they want a player booked or punished. It’s a bugbear of mine when commentators get offended at this act. I can’t help but think it’s often done when a player is struggling to verbally communicate with a foreign referee.
I watch football matches for all the major European leagues. Many of the top clubs are as diverse as the UN, so many players don’t speak the local language of the league, especially if they are new to that league. But from what I’ve seen, it appears that they all understand it. That said, it’s always amazing to me how a coach or manager can get his message across to each player. Sometimes the coach doesn’t even speak the local language. Are there translators available at all times?