For retro football fans and game audio historians, the hidden “Motty’s Rap” track tucked away on the FIFA 97 disc is a notable piece of EA sports lore.
The Easter egg features the late BBC commentator John Motson — who provided commentary for FIFA from FIFA 96 through FIFA 05 and briefly returned for FIFA Manager 08 in 2007 — speaking absurd lines set to a cheesy backing track recorded during sessions at EA Canada.
FIFA 97 was developed by EA Canada and published by Electronic Arts during the mid-1990s era when disc-based audio allowed developers to hide secret tracks accessible by placing the PlayStation or PC game disc into a standard CD player or by using the Sega Saturn’s music player.
The stunt is one of several examples of EA audio staff experimenting with bonus content on sports titles of the period.
According to EA composer and audio designer Robert Bailey, the track was created in-studio as a bit of fun.
Bailey says he recorded numerous throwaway lines with Motson and composed a simple backing track, then assembled the phrases into a two-minute novelty piece.
In Bailey’s account, he regrets not keeping a copy of the assembled track for himself and describes the result as genuinely funny.
He also made clear that the Easter egg was approved internally: executive producer Bruce McMillan was a fan of hiding small surprises in FIFA products and signed off on including the track.
Online attributions sometimes credit Graeme Coleman for the entire FIFA 97 soundtrack, but Bailey has identified himself as the creator of the Motson Easter egg specifically.
The hidden track includes memorable one-liners from Motson, one of which references touring with punk band the Sex Pistols, delivered in an irreverent tone far removed from his broadcast work.
The original audio can be heard today through archival uploads; a two-minute recording has been circulated online by the YouTuber DRCstim.
Because the Easter egg relies on disc-based CD audio, it is tied to original PlayStation, PC and Sega Saturn releases and does not appear on modern storefront reissues or current platforms such as the Nintendo Switch eShop.
Motty’s Rap remains a quirky footnote in FIFA’s history — a reminder of the playful studio culture at EA Canada during the series’ formative years and an example of how developers used physical media to surprise players beyond the playable game.
The Easter egg features the late BBC commentator John Motson — who provided commentary for FIFA from FIFA 96 through FIFA 05 and briefly returned for FIFA Manager 08 in 2007 — speaking absurd lines set to a cheesy backing track recorded during sessions at EA Canada.
FIFA 97 was developed by EA Canada and published by Electronic Arts during the mid-1990s era when disc-based audio allowed developers to hide secret tracks accessible by placing the PlayStation or PC game disc into a standard CD player or by using the Sega Saturn’s music player.
The stunt is one of several examples of EA audio staff experimenting with bonus content on sports titles of the period.
According to EA composer and audio designer Robert Bailey, the track was created in-studio as a bit of fun.
Bailey says he recorded numerous throwaway lines with Motson and composed a simple backing track, then assembled the phrases into a two-minute novelty piece.
In Bailey’s account, he regrets not keeping a copy of the assembled track for himself and describes the result as genuinely funny.
He also made clear that the Easter egg was approved internally: executive producer Bruce McMillan was a fan of hiding small surprises in FIFA products and signed off on including the track.
Online attributions sometimes credit Graeme Coleman for the entire FIFA 97 soundtrack, but Bailey has identified himself as the creator of the Motson Easter egg specifically.
The hidden track includes memorable one-liners from Motson, one of which references touring with punk band the Sex Pistols, delivered in an irreverent tone far removed from his broadcast work.
The original audio can be heard today through archival uploads; a two-minute recording has been circulated online by the YouTuber DRCstim.
Because the Easter egg relies on disc-based CD audio, it is tied to original PlayStation, PC and Sega Saturn releases and does not appear on modern storefront reissues or current platforms such as the Nintendo Switch eShop.
Motty’s Rap remains a quirky footnote in FIFA’s history — a reminder of the playful studio culture at EA Canada during the series’ formative years and an example of how developers used physical media to surprise players beyond the playable game.
