Italian Phrasebook for Match Officials
We have read that referees in South Africa have been taking immersion courses in English to understand words our mother’s told us not to use in polite company. With this in mind, here is my list for match officials with the Azzurri who open group round play on Monday against Paraguay in Cape Town.
I played high school soccer in the Washington, D.C. area many moons ago. We used to have a referee from Austria. He always told us before the match, “I speak five languages so be careful, gentlemen.” I dedicate this article to him.
Words of Encouragement from Match Officials
“Mr. Cannavaro, I think the altitude problems caused you to come in late on that tackle, but I have to give you a yellow card.”
“Signor Cannavaro, penso che problemmi di altura lei abbia fatto la marcatura scorretta, pero’ devo dare una cartolina gialla“.
Rino Gattuso preparing for his next career as an Armani model
“Mr. Gattuso, please don’t take your shorts down in front of the opposing bench. I know that Lippi bars sex during the World Cup so I won’t red card you. But the WAGs are behind your own goal.”
“Signor Gattuso, per piacere, non rimuove i pantaloncini davanti la panchina avversaria. Lo so che il Mister nega il sesso durante i Mondiali cosi’ non devo dare il rosso. Pero’ le spose e fidanzate sono dietro la sua porta“.
“Mr. Lippi, I can’t add five minutes because your old team needs oxygen in the changing room.”
“Signor Lippi, non posso aggiungere cinque minuti perche la sua squadra vecchia bisogna prendere ossigeno nello spogliatoio“.
“The Germans said you are all a bunch of momma’s boys and not tough blokes like the English. Now, please get on with it.”
“I tedeschi dicevano che voi tutti sono mammoni e non sono duri come gli inglesi. Allora, per piacere, dai“.
Words of Endearment from Azzurri Players
Offside? Do I look like Pippo Inzaghi?
“Fuorigiuco? Allora, mi somigilia Pippo Inzaghi?
Wayne Rooney with match official Carlos Simon from Brazil
“I was not diving. I was showing the new lads how to imitate Fabio Grosso.”
“No ero in tuffo. Sono mostrando i nuovi ragazzi come fare come Fabio Grosso.”
“The only whistle that should be in your mouth is a vuvuzela.”
“La vuvuzela e’ il solo fischietto che potrebbe essere nella sua bocca“.
“An Italian referee does not need contact lenses.”
“Un arbitro italiano non bisogna i lenti acontatti“.
Tim Cahill of Australia shown red by Marco Rodriguez of Mexico
Actual Italian to English Terms
For a more serious take on useful Italian terminology, please read Soccer Terminology in the Mother Tongue.
Do you have some words of encouragement or endearment in your native language that you would like to share with our audience at Soccerlens or perhaps the FIFA match officials? Ahmed has contacts in high and low places so we’ll try to pass them on… 
Steve Amoia is a freelance writer, editor and translator from Washington, D.C. He writes the World Football Commentaries blog. He has written for AC Cugini Scuola Calcio (Italian soccer school), Football Media, Keeper Skool and Soccerlens.
"Italian Phrasebook for Match Officials" was originally published at Soccerlens.com - Football News.