FIA’s swearing ban sparks controversy among World Rally Championship drivers

Accusations against the FIA have been piling up since the recent ban on swearing during broadcast transmissions from WRC became intensely debated. Passed in lieu of having a more family-oriented image, the regulation has triggered arguments over whether it will inhibit the raw emotions and genuineness that characterize the sport.
The FIA has set these regulations so as to have all races free from profanity during coverage and interviews for television viewing and all people. This action has been taken due to the loud and high-profile exposure as the drivers swore under their breath, and caught on air due to frustrations of race or mechanical issues.

The FIA, in its defense, says that putting this prohibition is in line with its greater effort of bringing the image cleaner and smoother. However, this decision is not taken up well by the drivers, who are busy lining their ears with a brush from the head over the thin spines of their cockpit- because it, according to the drivers, is a gross minimization of their real feelings when they face the very heat of competition.
Many WRC drivers have criticized the new rule, saying it is unneeded and too stringent. They allege that rally racing happens in a highly charged environment with a lot of emotion, rendering it difficult for one to keep their head throughout.
Some drivers feel that those displays of raw frustration or exhilaration are part of what makes this sport so real and down-to-earth. They fear that muting their emotions would take away some of the sport's genuine character, making it look artificial on TV and less engaging.
That's not just limited to the drivers. Fans, too, have been improper by coming into the FIA's alleged state of disconnection through social media. Most people think that the odd swear is part of the theater in itself and that legislating it would take away a lot from both the passion and fervor of the sport.
Some teams, meanwhile, are bringing up the hindrances that could be presented by the ban on communication. Most drivers, pressured, say something off-color over radio contact, and censoring themselves could just be an obvious distraction that might take away the concentration.
As the WRC season unfolds, the cursing ban is sure to remain a hot issue since the FIA asserts its rule should provide a family product. But that seems an unnecessary constraint for many drivers and fans. As the argument heats up, the authority may eventually have to change its views.
Also Read: WRC drivers slam FIA’s ‘Unrealistic’ swearing ban, demand urgent resolution on controversial penalties