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.