SORRY IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH
Celtic complain to Ofcom over Sky Sports’ Morelos interview
PETER LAWWELL has branded the Sky Sports apology over Translategate “inadequate” and slapped in an official complaint to TV watchdogs about the controversial interview with Alfredo Morelos.
The Celtic chief executive, left, has penned a letter to the broadcasting regulators Ofcom demanding to know who was responsible for the inaccurate translation of the
Rangers striker’s quotes and how they were able to get on to the screens.
Sky issued a grovelling apology on Wednesday, admitting the subtitles in the interview contained several errors, including a claim Morelos suffered racist abuse against Celtic – which were never actually said by the Colombian.
But Hoops chiefs don’t accept the broadcaster simply holding their hands up and are now taking the matter further up the chain.
Sky officials last night told Record Sport they would be making no further comment as they believe they addressed the matter in their public apology. But Celtic are refusing to back down as they believe the club – and Morelos – have been slighted.
Hoops chiefs said: “The statement issued by Sky Television is inadequate. It does not identify the source of the translation or why phrases, which bore no relationship to the words used by Mr Morelos, were introduced into it.
“In view of the substantial issues of public interest involved, Celtic have lodged a complaint with the broadcasting regulator Ofcom, who can seek the necessary answers and adjudicate accordingly.”
Lawwell – in his letter to Ofcom – said: “Mr Morelos spoke in Spanish and subtitles were provided.
“It is our contention that the presentation of this interview was grossly and irresponsibly misleading due to the wildly inaccurate and tendentious translation which was provided in the subtitles.
“The effect and, we believe, purpose of this misrepresentation was to broadcast offensive and incendiary allegations against Celtic Football Club and its supporters, by attempting to attribute these – quite unfairly – to Mr Morelos. It is difficult to think of a more irresponsible piece of ‘sporting journalism’.”
Celtic have demanded answers to three key questions. They asked: “Who was responsible for the inaccurate translation?
“What steps were taken by Sky Television to ascertain the accuracy, or otherwise, of the translation provided?
“What part did Sky Television play in briefing the story, based on the inaccurate translation, to the wider media?”
The letter also explained why the public needed the broadcasters to come clean over how the mistranslation occurred.
Lawwell said: “Issues of racism and sectarianism are far too important to be manipulated in this way by any broadcaster or third party. The use of mistranslation to convey false meaning is a dangerous form of ‘fake news’ which must be condemned and sanctioned.
“Mr Morelos has been seriously misrepresented and is deserving of apology and explanation.”
Record Sport revealed yesterday Morelos’ agent Michael Gorman is understood to have provided the translation but Rangers have yet to comment publicly despite their player being misquoted.