With all the hubbub about the USA goal that was disallowed in the USA v Slovenia game, there are has been some suggestion that this was an isolated incident and was specific to the USA game -- perhaps the ref was just out to get the USA.
But the truth is that there has just been some really bad refereeing in the World Cup. Refs that don't put themselves in the right spot to make calls, refs that don't take command of the game, and refs that make simply horrific calls.
Now to be fair, this is a tough job ... the game is played at a very fast pace, the refs can't see the instant replay in super slo mo from 3 different angles, and many of the players exadurate the actual intensity of the play.
So how about doing two things ...
First add more transparency to the process. It would be very interesting to know, if not during the game then afterwords, what exactly the ref saw / was thinking when he made a call. Now on one hand, the ref may not remember every play but when you take away a goal you should have a clear reason for what you saw and why you made the call you did ... and this should be public. This doesn't mean we're changing the call, just that there is an explanation. To often -- and at all levels of soccer -- the ref hides behind the fact that he doesn't have to explain his call and he can card you if you question his call.
Second there should be video review of cards given and players whose embellishments result in cards should be penalized by a card. To make it fair, the level of evidence would need to be very high but this would at least eliminate the player being hit in the shoulder and grabbing is face type of embellishments.
3 comments:
yeah, I was going to say the first thing we have to do is stop giving oscars to players who dive. They should be kicked out of at least 2 games after an act like that one you mentioned. Barely touched in the chest and grabs his face? That's a fucking disgrace and that is one of the big reasons soccer is seen as a sissy sport and denigrated by Americans.
If we can do away with the most flagrant of acting / embellishment that would be a step forward.
When you're running at top speed and trying to control a soccer ball it doesn't take a huge bump to take you down -- so I hesitate to penalize what you can't see when carding embellishment.
The catch is that the best actors know this and since there is gain in drawing a foul call -- from simply getting a free kick to getting a card for the opposition -- it's going to be hard to eliminate.
Referees should go into a game knowing who the most prolific actors are and act accordingly. Christian Ronaldo should get no benefit of the doubt, it you didn't see it, it didn't happen.
Another idea is to add another ref ... like hockey ... so you have more eyes on the field to make calls. I'd also like to see more communication between refs.
Definitely add more refs. 3 would be perfect. One on each side that circle from side to side in opposition to the main referee who does his normal walking the field. That way all angles can be covered.
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