CELTIC CEO Peter Lawwell has formally written to Ofcom about the Sky Sports fake news interview with the Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos in which the broadcaster defamed Celtic FC and the Celtic Support by running fake, agenda driven subtitles over the interview. The Colombian was speaking in Spanish and Sky failed in their duty of care as a broadcaster to ensure or take any reasonable measures to ensure that the subtitles represented accurately what that player was actually saying. Even if he was speaking in English, Sky have a duty of care to ensure that anything said is not defamatory and if it is then they proceed to broadcast at their own peril.
Last night just before Celtic played Motherwell at Fir Park in the Scottish Premiership – the match was broadcast live by BT Sport – Sky released a statement which we covered here.
Now Celtic have responded to this are are far from satisfied with the response from the broadcaster. Here is the text of the Celtic statement.
CELTIC STATEMENT
“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.
“For our supporters’ information, Celtic’s communication to Ofcom can be viewed below:
Dear Sir/Madam
On behalf of Celtic Football Club, I wish to lodge an official complaint in respect of an interview with the footballer, Alfredo Morelos, which was broadcast on all Sky platforms on Monday 3 February.
Mr Morelos spoke in Spanish and sub-titles 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 sub-titles.
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 Football Club has issued a statement on the subject which is attached for your convenience. We understand that the interview is no longer available through Sky Television which is, in itself, recognition of its deficiencies. On the basis of the inaccurate translation, highly damaging and wholly inaccurate stories were briefed to the press.
I am therefore asking Ofcom to conduct an investigation in order to answer the following questions:
1. Who was responsible for the inaccurate translation?
2. What steps were taken by Sky Television to ascertain the accuracy, or otherwise, of the translation provided?
3. What part did Sky Television play in briefing the story, based on the inaccurate translation, to the wider media?
We believe this is a matter of substantial public interest for the following reasons:
1. Issues of racism and sectarianism are far too important to be manipulated in this way by any broadcaster or third party.
2. The use of mis-translation to convey false meaning is a dangerous form of “fake news” which must be condemned and sanctioned.
3. Mr Morelos has been seriously misrepresented and is deserving of apology and explanation.
I look forward to your early response.
Yours faithfully
Peter Lawwell
Chief Executive
Celtic plc
Great stuff, Peter – well done. Now for Res 12….it’s not too late you know and it’s liberating this, fighting Celtic’s corner game!
