I'm usually one to defend match officials to the last, but the behaviour of the refereee and one of his assistants in the Brazil v Uruguay Copa America match has left me fuming.
After a cracking match in which Uruguay more than matched their famous opponents, the game went straight to penalties. (No extra time in this competition so the penalties are even more important.) With both sets of five penalties used up, Uruguay's Lugano took the decisive penalty, only to see Brazil's goalkeeper take two big leaps forward so that when the ball was kicked, Doni was 2 metres (that's six feet) in front of the goalline, a brazen breach of the laws that state he must be on the goalline when the kick is taken. The assistant, who stands on the goalline only for the purpose of making sure that rule is not broken, did nothing. The referee, who could clearly see Doni had broken the law, did nothing.
Result? Brazil go through to the final and the ill feeling leads to scuffles and fights between both sets of players. A completely unnecessary dereliction of duty by the officials that soured a marvellous match.
see the proof here. http://youtube.com/watch?v=1XcFabgOUPI
3 comments:
Actually, I have found over the years that virtually no call is more controversial than ordering the retaking of a penalty kick because the keeper jumped his line - even when he is markedly off the line, and any casual observer can see it. I probably shouldn't do it, but when I call a PK, I make sure I walk past the keeper prior to the kick, and remind him to keep to his line. Even though that tips them off that this is something you intend to watch for, they still frequently jump forward a significant distance. Dumb...
Steve, I find that referees are prepared to make this call at an amateur level but I'm just wondering if the professiona leagues have handed down some informal advice to refs to ignore the laws of the game in this area.
cheers
Simon
p.s. I hear Smith has crippled himself
Yes, Nic has managed to partially tear his Achilles. Just running around on a nice clear, soft field... His selfishness has forced me to play every minute of every game so far in our league as goalkeeper, because he claims to be unable to play. We are all off to Puerta Vallarta to play in an old guy tournament this November. Presumably, he will be ready to play then, but if someone were to "poison" his water supply with tequila, well then I guess all bets would be off. So - what are YOU doing this November?
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