FIFA has reportedly reversed its earlier stance and will now allow players to answer media questions in Spanish after facing widespread criticism over restrictions on language use during official interviews.
According to reports, the governing body has backtracked on its initial rule that limited multilingual players from responding in Spanish during certain media sessions.
The decision change comes after concerns were raised by players, journalists, and football fans around the world.
The earlier restriction had affected several high-profile footballers who are fluent in multiple languages, including Brazil’s Vinícius Júnior, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, and Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
These players were reportedly instructed to respond in other designated languages during official media engagements, despite being capable of speaking Spanish.
The rule sparked debate in the football community, with critics arguing that it placed unnecessary limits on players and ignored the global, multicultural nature of modern football.
Many pointed out that Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in football media, especially across Europe and South America.
Following the backlash, FIFA has now adjusted its position, allowing players to freely respond in Spanish where appropriate.
The move is seen as an effort to improve communication between players and media while respecting linguistic diversity within the sport.
The decision shows the challenges FIFA faces in managing media protocols across different regions and languages. With players coming from increasingly diverse backgrounds, strict language rules have often proven difficult to enforce fairly.
