Scotland’s World Cup hero, the matchwinner against Haiti, has told the nation: “We have more gears to go up.” The assurance comes as the team prepares to face Morocco and Brazil in the tournament – two nations at the centre of a Fifa rule change just a day after awkward viral moments involving their star players.
A clip spread on social media after a Fifa official denied Mexican journalist Rodrigo Ornelas of TV Azteca from asking a question in Spanish to Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi. The exchange came before Morocco drew 1-1 with Brazil at New Jersey Stadium. Hakimi, who was born in Spain and speaks Spanish, was eager to interact in Spanish despite the official maintaining it was not possible due to translation resources. “It's OK, I understand,” he said, encouraging the journalist to ask the question. “I can respond in English, if you prefer?” Hakimi then turned to the Fifa official: “How should I reply, in English or Spanish?” He then eloquently answered in English at the official’s request.
“Scotland's matchwinner against Haiti says 'we have more gears to go up' as Fifa adds Spanish after Hakimi and Vinicius Jr incidents.”
It was not the only language dispute. Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr also encountered a conflict when a Venezuelan journalist requested an answer in Spanish. “I'm with Brazil, I'm gonna speak in Portuguese,” Vinicius Jr replied.
The previous rules ensured an English translation alongside the languages of the two participating teams – in that Group C contest, Arabic and Portuguese. But Fifa has now confirmed to The Sporting News that Spanish will be made available as a fourth language at press conferences.