They're reviewing the game and the ref's performance. On review, there probably should not have been the call that got the free kick that led to the goal in the first place (my opinion only) it was a bit of a flop for the US, we're not nearly as dramatic at it as the Europeans are. However I still cannot see the mysterious foul that only the ref could see. As well his handball=Headball call and the yellow that should have been a red/ejection were horrendous.

He may get benched for the Cup for this, he might not. FIFA stands behind its refs pretty strong as a rule.

An MSL ref was at the soccer convention on year, and he gave a talk that gave me more insight to referrees. The quote was, "In the eyes of the referree..." and he said that they can't see everything all of the time.

But on this occasion, he could have called the "foul", conferred with the other referrees, then make the hard and fast decision. He does NOT have what it takes to be a referee!

I just don't know, after the rage has settled a bit, I don't really want this guy's career to be over. And he HAS officiated some major games before...and well. I just think he wasn't ready for the WC. If he'd pulled the equivalent of Joyce a simple explanation plus "I screwed up" if he saw it differently after watching the replay... well I'd feel better. But not the whole "we don't know what the call was" bull doesn't help him.

I dunno, I just want him relegated to flag guy for the rest of this Cup, let him come back with more experience under his belt in four years.

I'm not a fan of instant replay in soccer unless it were REALLY limited, but I think cases like this make a really good argument for a fourth official (or.. fifth I guess since the fourth holds up the signs) standing behind the goals.

to me there is a difference "in the eyes of the referee" between failing to call a real foul, and imagining(and calling) one that did not occur. i hope his blunder does end his career.

i also don't see why they could not allow instant replay at least at the world cup level. they could handle it similarly to how the our american football teams do it. then we would be proved right and the win would be counted or we would all shut up.

I just need to hear his side of the story. If it's equally ridiculous, I'm all for it. If he's the equivalent of "I swear I saw it and I disallowed the goal because the foul happened before it went in. I did not see all the other fouling in the box and on replay I made the wrong call" or something, I'd feel better.

It's a huge change for soccer to allow replay so I don't know, it would need a LOT of restrictions.

I doubt that we'll ever hear a real explanation of the bad call. If we do, I would want FIFA to address it properly. Sepp Blatter has already said that nothing is going to be done about it.

Thank heavens that Britain tied their game, too!

Yes essentially now:

I'm praying that we have an easier time with Algeria than Britain had!

Well even if we draw we're ok, we need to toughen up our defense though.

*Watching the Brazil/Ivory Coast game while my parents figure out if we're doing anything for Father's Day or not*

So obviously no one's posted since the cup actually started but can anyone tell me why USA's third goal was disallowed in the 86th minute of the USA Slovenia?...

OMG!!! while i was writing this post Kaka of Brazil was red carded for absolutely nothing against the Ivory Coast!!!!!!!!! The refereeing in this World Cup is pretty much ridic!

The USA/SVN, BRA/CIV games are all ridiculously controversial!

So uh, you need to learn how to click the next page button.

The goal was disallowed due to a foul no one but the ref saw. He blew the whistle before the goal was scored so no-goal. Bullshit, but we're stuck with it. We just need to beat Algeria.

I missed the red card, but looking back at the BBC's minute by minute it looks like the ref's been iffy all night. Too lenient early, missed a handball, and then red for no reason. This game's not controversial though, it didn't change the result. Brazil wasn't going to draw/lose to the Ivory Coast.

Serbia/Germany was more controversial due to ridiculous card-age.

On the plus side they're changing the yellow card rule so that amnesty is applied after the Quarter-finals. Meaning you shouldn't lose a player in the final match due to yellow cards, reds will still result in an expulsion and could result in multiple games lost if the review indicates it was incredibly dangerous/flagrant/etc.

I read that the ref who officiated the US / Slovenia game may get reassigned
or sent home. I hoping for the FIFA head honchos to say good-bye to him.

He was the fourth official in the Italy-NZ game today I believe. I don't know if that's a punishment thing of not. But going from head ref to holding signs up sounds like a bit of a demotion. That could be normal though.

I think they're still reviewing/determining what to do if anything bout the first game.

Kaka was red-carded but got a second yellow so it turned red.

and yea i'm new. I did find the next page button :)

The Germany game was kind of awful with the cards and all but that US ref doesn't need to be demoted he just needs to be sent home

and as far as being new i hope i did the quote thing correct :/

*blink* You mean he was yellow carded and got a second one? It sounds like the ejection was for nothing indeed.

No decisions have been made on any of the refs thus far.

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!

I'm going to take that sideline ref's flag and introduce it to his insides in a whole new way I swear to god.

and the commentators have shown that it should have been counted. AGGGHHH!

England's in the lead, if they win and we don't we're screwed.

COME ON GUYS FINISH!

/that's what she said?

Come on USA!

IF YOU WIN I'LL BRING YOU ALL THOSE FRUITY DRINKS AND

GOD DAMN IT YOU MISSED AGAIN.

How many shots on goal are we gonna miss?

wtf? he tripped! That did not deserve a card.

ALL OF THEM

TWICE.

Our kick.

How the fuck is that not a card. Elbow to the face!