FIFA's Failed Enforcement
FIFA tried to improve the game through the issuing of yellow cards for several offenses, but it has done nothing to improve the game because they have not been effective in forcing officials to call fouls in the area where it hurts the team, the penalty area.
For the good of the game, I am calling for FIFA and all referees to call fouls in the 18 yard box when they are legitimate. If it is called a foul outside the box, it is a foul inside the box. This will result in penalty kicks if they are consistent. After a short adjustment period defenders will adjust and not commit such fouls, freeing up space in the box so attacking players can get scoring opportunities.
Conversely, I am calling for FIFA and all referees to give yellow cards for dives inside the 18 yard box. Consistently enforcing the rules that prohibit diving will force attacking players to keep their feet and play for the goal or pass. It is easy to tell a dive because it is a completely unnatural act to fall to the ground with your arms over your head, especially if you are a world class athlete. Anyone else would attempt to brace their fall with their arms and nine times out of ten their hands and knees would hit the turf first, not the entire length of their bodies like fish on dry land.
Combined with fouls being called, the decreased diving will generate more offensive opportunities because players will stay on their feet, keep the ball under control, and maintain their attack. Again, referees must be consistent and enforce both rules.
This is not an attempt to increase scoring, although that will likely be a direct result, but rather to clean up the game for the good of the game flow and to get away from what I see as crappy soccer. The best soccer is when teams are on their feet, attacking with control and defending with position, not when they are flopping, diving, whining, crying, shoving, tripping, tackling late from behind, and generally being pussies like Cristiano Ronaldo or as I have dubbed him, Douchebago Primero.
posted by Nick Manning @ 6/21/2006 12:29:00 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
That Portugal Netherlands game was a disaster. The announcers blamed the refs for losing control of the game, but I really don't know that the game could have been controlled. The shots that the teams were taking at each other were ridiculous.
I think the officiating was bad but the teams were attacking each other. If you watched the Ukraine-Switzerland game the announcers were asking where the cards were...but none were deserved. Maybe the one that was given was for an accumulation of fouls and that's acceptable, but overall I thought the Mexiacan referee was excellent. The referee allowed the players to play although they all played pretty poorly on their own, not due to fouls. The game was clean and the lack of cards was justified. Good ref, ugly game, no flow. As for the other games I think they are giving way too many cards, for things that a month ago in Europe were not card-worthy. It seems like yesterday's games may indicate FIFA told the refs to hold the mustard.
Post a Comment
<< Home