World Cup -2010

[dauls]

Originally Posted by ila

I heard this morning, on the news, that FIFA won't allow a replay. It's too bad because I'd rather see a team win a World Cup spot honestly instead of by cheating.

From what I understand FIFA won't allow a replay because that would set a precedent and they are also concerned about how many games would have to be replayed and the length of time that it would take to reschedule games to be replayed. I can understand this reasoning as the regular professional leagues schedule their games to work around qualifying matches. Any delays would throw a monkeywrench into the works.

Yes, the replaying of games because mistakes were made by the referee won't work. So the only way to deal with this would be the use of video replay during the game.

On the radio today an Irish player (can't remember name) compared Henry's cheating with his own rule breaking in the game, which was intentionally tripping an opponent to stop a clear goal scoring opportunity. Which act of cheating on the pitch goes too far?

Originally Posted by ila

I have heard that there is a proposal to place an official at each goal to watch for such things as a hand ball. I don't like that idea because the current three officials are sufficient.

This is already being given a trial run in the UEFA Europa League (the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League). Two extra officials are positioned behind the goal lines to the right of the goal (the opposite side of the goal from the nearest linesman).

One of these officials would have been a few yards from Thierry Henry the other night and would have been in a very good position to see the handball.

I approve the above trial of the two extra officials, TV footage shows that the game is too fast for only three officials to see everything, and when they miss something the media crucify them.

Originally Posted by ila

Another proposal is to allow video replay. I think this has possibilities, but some regulations will have to be set out on when video replay will be allowed.

Rules need to be set on when video is used, and this should be done by the officials rather than giving the managers/coaches a number of video challenges per match.

Even though video currently isn't used in football, tonight, again on the radio, I heard confirmation of one definite occasion video was used during a match.

In the 2006 World Cup Final, Zinedine Zidane was sent off for a headbutt to Marco Materazzi's chest. Problem was the three officials missed the headbutt, but the 4th official was seen looking at a replay, before speaking to the referee via his headset. The referee showed Zidane the red card based upon information FIFA rules do not allow him to use. That sounds like a precident that FIFA have failed to act on for 3 years.

Typical FIFA, they always want fair play, but do nothing to help the officials and nothing to punish the cheats. Fine example to set youngsters who follow the game.

[valentinetabitha]

I have this feeling that either Ghana or Ivory Coast will surprise a lot of people. They certainly have the talent to make a long run in the tournament. Once the knockout round starts, anything can happen.

[ila]

Originally Posted by valentinetabitha

I have this feeling that either Ghana or Ivory Coast will surprise a lot of people. They certainly have the talent to make a long run in the tournament. Once the knockout round starts, anything can happen.

Originally Posted by dauls

You're not the only one.

Plenty of pundits believe the managers of the non-African countries are extremely jealous because the African sides have an ideal dress rehersal at the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola in January 2010.

I think the Ivory Coast are the African side worrying most.

I haven't been paying attention to the African teams. It looks like I'm missing a lot.

[Mel Asher]

I've done a bit of refereeing in the past, and to be honest, it is well nigh impossible to see every infringement. This problem becomes proportionally enormous when immense prestige and monies are at stake. Unfortunately extra adjudictors would only make things more complex

[dauls]

As we approach Friday's draw for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, FIFA will be discussing a few issues on Wednesday, including...

The Republic of Ireland's request that a 33rd spot be created for them to compete in the 32 team tournament. There was more chance of a replay against France than FIFA adding a 33rd team to the competition.
* The World Cup has 8 groups of 4 teams, in the round-robin format, with 16 countries (top two in each group) qualifying for the knockout stages.
* The schedule for the tournament is tight, and adding an extra team would be a major inconvenience.
* A 33rd team would also make it unfair on the two teams that progress from the group of five. Being forced to play an extra match would reduce the chances of a country from this larger group progressing to the final.
Ireland, it's not gonna happen.

On Wednesday FIFA will also consider how to punish Thierry Henry for his controversial handball against the Republic of Ireland. They will consider sanctions against Henry but they did not say whether the player could be banned - a ban may require a rule change. Any punishment from this rule change will probably only apply to future infringements.

Sepp Blatter, the president of FIFA, added that goal-line technology and extra match officials (one behind each goal) would be considered for the South Africa finals.

However if FIFA recommend any changes, they will still have to go before football's rule-making international board in Zurich in March for a final decision. Typical, let it drag on for another 4 months. And at that meeting they'll decide they need more time to think about it, before arranging one last rule change meeting the night before the tournament starts.

[dauls]

On Tuesday FIFA said it will not create a 33rd place at next year's World Cup for the Republic of Ireland.

Costa Rica have already lodged a complaint, stating that Uruguay's winning goal in the South American-CONCACAF playoff final should have been ruled offside.

FIFA said granting an extra place to Ireland would change the World Cup format. So why not add Costa Rica? Which could then lead to other nations making protests.

FIFA still has their meeting on Wednesday, who knows what will come from that?

[ila]

Originally Posted by dauls

FIFA still has their meeting on Wednesday, who knows what will come from that?

Probably nothing. Ireland probably doesn't rate high enough on FIFA's importance scale.

[ila]

Originally Posted by dauls

.....On the radio today an Irish player (can't remember name) compared Henry's cheating with his own rule breaking in the game, which was intentionally tripping an opponent to stop a clear goal scoring opportunity. Which act of cheating on the pitch goes too far?

Any act of cheating goes too far. This puts a whole new light on the game, too. I didn't see the game (damned work got in the way of letting me watch it). Two wrongs don't make a right though. I would like to know if the trip was seen by an official. This is the first that I've heard of it and it sounds like the trip wasn't seen. Still tripping an opposing player on a scoring opportunity is poor sportsmanship and I hope it was caught.

Originally Posted by dauls

I approve the above trial of the two extra officials, TV footage shows that the game is too fast for only three officials to see everything, and when they miss something the media crucify them.

Based on your description then I think that this may have potential. Maybe the first leagues in each country should try it to see how it works out. If it's worthwhile then FIFA should adopt it.

Originally Posted by dauls

Typical FIFA, they always want fair play, but do nothing to help the officials and nothing to punish the cheats. Fine example to set youngsters who follow the game.

Too true.