I am confused about football ... when is it a game and when is it a match?

Question

Also, what language do players and referees use to communicate in International Tournaments?

Answer 1

I never really call football matches 'games'. I guess you tend to say game more when it's already started or is about to 'Should be a good game'. The referees speak many languages and choose which is appropriate. English is the most common of course, but the referees also have a set of hand gestures that the players recognise, even if they don't understand.

The problem with mixed languages is that if a player walks away from the ref and mutters something in a language he doesn't understand, the chances are he will at least book him as he will often assume it is abuse or dissent.

Answer 2

from what some international referees have said, they either know enough of a common language to communicate or they use hand signals.

a game and a match are the same thing. It's just a matter of word choise

Answer 3

As much as you would like to think it, there was no 12th man today. If anything, Real Madrid had a 12th man as they were playing infront of their own crowd! Anyway what cost Real Madrid the game was that they were very wasteful with their chances. Ronaldo had a very very bad game, he did not make much of an impact. You don't need to park the bus to beat Barcelona, Arsenal showed that it was possible to beat them at their own game last year. And yes although La Liga is quite weak as a whole, us English football fans still watch el classico. There are only 2 good games in La Liga every year and it is worth watching. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be over in the Cricket section if you need me...

Answer 4

game and match are the same. They just use the term "match" in England and "game" in the US. Just like a soccer "pitch" is a soccer "field".
In most international games English is the most common language that players and refs use, however, really good international refs know more then one language and can comunicate to an extent to many nationalites.

Answer 5

My guess is that American football has games and Soccer/Football has matches. I am curios to know which language(s) are used between players, refs and coaches too since most of the premier leagues teams are so multi-national.

Answer 6

Game and match refer to the same thing. It's just different ways of describing football.

The referees underwent English tests before the World Cup Finals, so I assume English.

Answer 7

In the USA, football is a game. Soccer here is called a match. Football & Soccer are two different things.

Answer 8

game and match are the same thing, the lnguage is decided before hand, for example if it were Brazil and Portugal to play they both speak portuguese so the referee would communicate in portuguese if both languages are foreign to each other then english is used.

Answer 9

Although the two words are nowadays used interchangeably, in reality "match" should be used to denote two opposing sides engaging in a contest of any sort. "Game", on the other hand, should denote the actual sport being played.

Thus, we should refer to a MATCH between the French and Italian teams, in which they play the GAME of football.

And, "showboat", who cares? Anyone who is not terminally ignorant.

Answer 10

Bring down the player's wages .... and make them "Work" for there money ... then you will see a game .... £100,000 a week for a bloke that cant take a penalty ... has the world gone mad.?

A match would be too good sides .. the winner gets wages.