World Cup 2010 Finale Review
"We are not hiding our mistakes or the mistakes of the referees on the field of play." - Jose Maria Garcia-Aranda, FIFA's head of refereeing.
You can sure say that Jose, these mistakes, you can't hide from anyone, they are obvious and blatant.
Again, Jose... "I think the refereeing in this tournament has been more than good."
Newsflash Jose, this is the WORLD CUP, 205 nations entered, 2337 goals were scored and 848 matches were played over a FOUR YEAR period to get to this point.
More than good? Good isn't good enough, the officiating must be nothing less than excellent.
In the group stage, the United States was denied a likely winning goal late in its game against Slovenia on a bogus off sides call...
then a Brazil goal against Ivory Coast was allowed to stand despite two apparent handballs by Luis Fabiano leading up to it.
Brazil's Kaka was ejected later in the same match when it appeared he and an Ivory Coast player collided accidentally.
England was denied a clear goal, which would have tied its match against Germany 2-2 late in the first half. Germany went on to win 4-1.
Rossetti missed an offside call that allowed Argentina to score its first goal against Mexico. The Argentines went on to win, 3-1.
Now the final... English official Howard Webb hands out a final record 14 yellow cards, in the first hour of the match.
Then a red to Dutch defender Johnny Heitenga with just minutes left in the overtime.
Spain took full advantage to score their winning goal versus a short sided Dutch team.
Yeah, we have mixed feelings on Spain's 1-0 victory v Netherlands, and I know that the losing side usually blames the ref, but… some facts you might not know...
This was Webb's first World Cup. How does a first time World Cup official make the final?
Answer: Can you guess what county Jose is from? If you guessed SPAIN, you are correct.
So, the ref for the final match involving SPAIN, was selected by a Spanish official.
The Dutch coach for Bayern Munchen, Luis van Gaal, pointed out before the final...
Webb kills a good match by constantly blowing his whistle. He is well known for this.
The Dutch are very dangerous in quickly resuming the game after a foul, Webb always wanted the player to wait for the whistle.
Webb likes theatrical play and was not aware that when some Spanish players took their dives, they even slightly hesitated which foot to choose.
Essentially Webb with his quick whistle and hold up of play, broke up the flow of the game, never allowing either side to truly get into a rhythm.
On the other hand: Dutch striker Arjen Robben should have scored on his first breakaway, the game ends a Dutch 1-0 victory in regulation.
The Dutch players should have been more aware of this ref and the tactics the Spanish would use to take advantage.
Spain does have some very good football players, however, Iniesta is a first class theatrical artist and was the most successful yellow card enhancer on the field.
FIFA would do well to enter the 21st century by allowing instant replay technology for play involving offsides, penalty kick calls and red cards, and additional refs on and off the field.
Until then, FIFA will still be on a par with WWF Wrestling and Top Rank Boxing, which are "more than good" and honest sports, Si Jose?
You can sure say that Jose, these mistakes, you can't hide from anyone, they are obvious and blatant.
Again, Jose... "I think the refereeing in this tournament has been more than good."
Newsflash Jose, this is the WORLD CUP, 205 nations entered, 2337 goals were scored and 848 matches were played over a FOUR YEAR period to get to this point.
More than good? Good isn't good enough, the officiating must be nothing less than excellent.
In the group stage, the United States was denied a likely winning goal late in its game against Slovenia on a bogus off sides call...
then a Brazil goal against Ivory Coast was allowed to stand despite two apparent handballs by Luis Fabiano leading up to it.
Brazil's Kaka was ejected later in the same match when it appeared he and an Ivory Coast player collided accidentally.
England was denied a clear goal, which would have tied its match against Germany 2-2 late in the first half. Germany went on to win 4-1.
Rossetti missed an offside call that allowed Argentina to score its first goal against Mexico. The Argentines went on to win, 3-1.
Now the final... English official Howard Webb hands out a final record 14 yellow cards, in the first hour of the match.
Then a red to Dutch defender Johnny Heitenga with just minutes left in the overtime.
Spain took full advantage to score their winning goal versus a short sided Dutch team.
Yeah, we have mixed feelings on Spain's 1-0 victory v Netherlands, and I know that the losing side usually blames the ref, but… some facts you might not know...
This was Webb's first World Cup. How does a first time World Cup official make the final?
Answer: Can you guess what county Jose is from? If you guessed SPAIN, you are correct.
So, the ref for the final match involving SPAIN, was selected by a Spanish official.
The Dutch coach for Bayern Munchen, Luis van Gaal, pointed out before the final...
Webb kills a good match by constantly blowing his whistle. He is well known for this.
The Dutch are very dangerous in quickly resuming the game after a foul, Webb always wanted the player to wait for the whistle.
Webb likes theatrical play and was not aware that when some Spanish players took their dives, they even slightly hesitated which foot to choose.
Essentially Webb with his quick whistle and hold up of play, broke up the flow of the game, never allowing either side to truly get into a rhythm.
On the other hand: Dutch striker Arjen Robben should have scored on his first breakaway, the game ends a Dutch 1-0 victory in regulation.
The Dutch players should have been more aware of this ref and the tactics the Spanish would use to take advantage.
Spain does have some very good football players, however, Iniesta is a first class theatrical artist and was the most successful yellow card enhancer on the field.
FIFA would do well to enter the 21st century by allowing instant replay technology for play involving offsides, penalty kick calls and red cards, and additional refs on and off the field.
Until then, FIFA will still be on a par with WWF Wrestling and Top Rank Boxing, which are "more than good" and honest sports, Si Jose?
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