IIRC, the refs switch roles from game to game. But I won't be going to any WC games this year, so I'm not certain.

This has become a game of "we know he screwed up, now how can we spin this to sound decent". I want to see him sweat. I want him to admit that he called a foul on something like breathing wrong, or wearing socks. I want him to have to wear a tutu - no, a PINK tutu! - to the rest of the matches!

*Giggle* the tutu would be AMAZING.

Honestly the most that will happen with the game is Findley could be permitted to play vs. Algeria following his second yellow and one of the Slovenians could be given a ban on their game with england for the RED card he should have gotten.

And even then that's unlikely. I don't know, do refs ever talk about the game? I'm sure he'll have to answer to FIFA (and probably has, we just don't know what they'll say or decide) but I'm not familiar enough to know if they talk to media as a rule.

FIFA's had some other struggles, and just recently banned teams from practicing on the pitches because they're having trouble keeping grass down. Dunno if it's SA's "fault" or not but but this isn't the smoothest of cups.

that reminds me of this ref: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfs_9Gt22so

FIFA is rife with systematic corruption at all levels and operates under an archaic set of rules that can reinforce its moral deficit.

i watched as Brazil striker, Luis Fabiano, committed two uncalled handballs immediately before putting a shot in the back of the net for their 2nd goal. he's even come out and admitted it.

i saw USA's Robbie Findley get a yellow card on an imaginary handball after the ball hit him in the face. (and the goal-costing phantom foul.)

the French team is falling apart right now in front of the world, minus a trainer, a coach, and down a player. but they shouldn't even be in the WC after two handballs in a cheatfest over Ireland to qualify.

et al

all of which could be solved by instant replay on calls that directly affect the outcome of the game. FIFA maintains that the errors are part of the game, and a man should make the decision, not a machine.

i think it's just too hard to get the result you want when the ref has to get the calls right.

That is just too good not to highlight!

Question: Three sources have told me three different times for the US v. Algeria game on Wednesday. I suppose I could check the FIFA site, but does anyone know fo sure?

More than one challenge per half would interrupt the flow of the game, I think it's something that could be tested out but should be done really carefully and only be allowed for certain situations. As it is American football has coaches who use it because well, without it we'll lose so why not. And I don't want to get in that situation.

To be fair, France's meltdown has nothing to do with FIFA, even if Ireland should have qualified instead.

And as much FIFA's corrupt they're pretty consistent about backing the refs, it's probably only that the US is such a big $$$$ that they're even seriously reviewing our ref's game at all.

ETA: FIFA's site says 9:00am central. we're playing concurrently with England/Slovenia.

I was just coming here to say that!

FIFA drops referee after dropped call

Still no pink tutu... I really wish I had photoshop!

LOL, I'll have to see what I can do, possibly in paint. :p

ETA: He's not scheduled for the rest of the group round but he's not officially fired either, I think it's all going to .. go away, you know?

Also... I feel bad for the NK team :(

Yes, but I do like Portugal.

I'm ambivalent except for wanting Ronaldo to just get carded any time he hits the ground. Even if he flops less than he used to, and in fact complains now that he can't actually get calls because refs know his past, he's pretty well earned an instant yellow whenever he hits the ground these days.

:p

Source

And from the previously linked article

Oh and the call in the BRA/CIV game http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_dCmuk5c8s

I understand, but I have a very soft spot in my heart for Portugal (see the 29th post). Beautiful country, beautiful memories, and I actually had an incredible measurements at the time!

I also saw my first European soccer match there, so Portugal almost always gets a pass with me!

But but :
http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/c...naldo_0001.gif


Nah I get it. I don't know who I'm rooting for when the US inevitably gets knocked out.

Everyone ready for this morning's match? Altidore is said to have an upset stomach (I think Pink Tutu Ref is poisoning him!), and Yahoo! says US World Cup fate to be determined Wednesday.

Several good articles/posts on bigsoccer.com, All we can do now is believe:

"It's so, so simple for us Soccer News Topics tomorrow. Just win. Just go out against a team that is less talented than we are and score one more goal than them.

But of course it's not that simple, not for this team and not at the World Cup Soccer News Topics. In my entire lifetime, the US has won exactly three World Cup matches... out of 20.

Of course, few of these players have much to do with that record. Some do, of course, and worryingly, they seem to reside in our defense.

And yet, when I stop thinking about 2006 and 1998 and that same awful look of fear and cowardice we've grown to dread out of this team on the big stage, all I can think is... holy shit, there is a very good chance that not only will the US get out of the group stage, but they could well win the group. That could very well actually happen...."

See you here in the morning!

I will be here!
For motivation:
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...le/14e42tv.gif

Another disallowed goal for the US. The crappy calling by the officials is killing me!