All the excitement and action over in South Africa with the "kudzu's heard round the world" is the World Cup. Just in case you've been living in a cave for the past month, and don't know of such world-wide festivities. Yes, I know its not a kudzu, however, it's just as annoying. I have watched hours of soccer all with the volume turned down to level 2 so I don't have to listen to the horns buzzing like a bunch of bees!!!
The only thing slightly more annoying than thousands of exuberant fans blowing the horns for hours on end is FIFA (the governing body of International Soccer) turning a blind eye to the increasing problem of a "messy little thing" like infallible referees and botched calls.
The problems that are facing the screw-ups as far as this soccer fan and soccer Mom is concerned, is two-fold: FIFA hopes to ignore it and hope it goes away, and also that by not acknowledging the errors, they can in some way, lend more credibility to the "game". This is simply NOT helping things, and only making matters much worse. What began to get media attention during the USA's match, due to the totally mindless act by the referee. He was standing dead center in front of the goal. Chose to whistle and wave off the goal scored by the US team. The ref in fact, signaled there was an infraction (violation) by the Americans. To date, there has been no explanation of what any such infraction would be. I personally have watched the replay hundreds of times. It was argued that it could possibly be off-sides (when the offense gains advantage by running down-field before the ball has been kicked, or without the presence of a defender in the area). There was no such off-sides flag/violations raised. In fact, there were at a minimum of two possible defenders holding Americans in full-body holds (illegally) within an arms distance of the referee. So, if an infraction should have been called, it should have been made against the defenders. NOT the team that scored.
Which brings me to FIFA's reaction. They have stated publicly, the ref will not give a review of his call nor will the organization. They support their referee's and back them. Well. How lovely. But, people are human, as we all too well, know. FIFA has been under increasing scrutiny as more and more calls have been blown. In the England match, in a huge match for Argentina, in yet another USA match, and so on...and we're not talking just a "foul"-type call. These are goals missed. In matches where the score may likely be 1-0 or 0-0! How can they justify that?
So, what does FIFA do today? Announces they will no longer SHOW the "controversial" calls or plays inside the stadiums while the matches are going on. Say what? Ok. So, if we all stick OUR heads in the sand along side them, then we can pretend that the refs are right, too??? Jeez, no wonder these guys are considered a joke. I complain about the refs at high school soccer games, or local league games. I shouldn't be having to complain about it at the "Olympics-level" of soccer. This is so ridiculous.
Why can't they show instant replay TO THE REFS during the game on scoring points only? Or why can't each coach have 2 or 3 challenges, like in the NFL? Oh, well...maybe that's too high tech. When it comes down to the shear amount of money that's on the line for these fools, they need to get it right. Not have half the free world complaining about them. We should be cheering. I can't stand to even watch now. How sad. They're just worried about the $30 Million in prize money to the winning country, and $24 million to the finalist. That's some serious cha-ching.
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