Conference trucks::football;1

    Overall, I think they've been fair enough. Having said that,
    there have been a few puzzlers, like...
    
    + Why the ref played 49 minutes for the second half of
      Ireland/Italy
    
    + Why the Mexican goalie got so much protection against
      Norway when he was waving his hands in the air flapping
      at high crosses. 
    
    + Why Romario didn't get a penalty in the first half against
      Russia when the defender seemed at throw his arma around him.
    
    Jim.	
    
    	

    Jeff,

    See my note 87.700.  Also I agree with -.1 on that 'penalty'. The
    commentators on today's game at Foxboro (the USA guy is reffing)
    said that the FIFA president told the refs at the start of the
    tournament that if they didn't show red cards for professional
    fouls, they'd be on the next plane home!  We'll see! 

    Gerry

    Rumania v Switzerland - good game by the ref but the second Swiss
    goal was definitely hand ball.  The red card he gave for an 
    atrocious foul was very much deserved.  Subs seem to make a habit 
    of getting sent off within minutes of getting on.

    I think one of the best performances has been by the U.S. ref. 
    Always up with play.  Didn't get fooled (too often!) by the 
    acting.

    Last night's game when a goal was disallowed was very confusing.
    It was live on the spanish channel so I didn't have a clue what
    they were saying.  I recorded and watched the English version
    later to discover that the ref had signalled 'indirect'.  He (and
    the one today) didn't keep his hand up after the initial call. He
    had it down until almost the time that the kick was taken when it
    shot up again. I'm surprised about that. 

    Gerry

    
    Gerry,
    
    	yes I agree, the 2nd Swiss goal was clearly handball - the players
    hands were well above his face but the ref didn't spot it in the crowd
    of players. Still, I though the early Swiss goal which was disallowed
    for offside should have stood. IMO the player was not interferring.
    Overall the ref did a good job.
    
    JBG

  The German ref in Italys game last night was excellent.... good vision, and
control....

                                                                  -dave-

    
    Is there a rule specifying you can only enter the playing area at one
    point, regardless of where you went off ?

    re.5
    
    You jest of course!!!
    
    I remember the commentator saying (after the ref. had dished out yet
    another yellow card).. "that's the only way to get respect" (or words
    to that effect). 
    
    Jaysus...
    Al.

re: respect for refereees - commentator comment... I must admit I rarely take
notice of what commentatators say or think... particularly John Motson (English
commentator).. I reckon he's never played football in his life... well actually
at school he was probably the spotty, bespectacled fat boy that was put 
in goal for the team that no-one wanted to play for... and now he's 
taking his revenge ;-)

Norman

    I attended the match last night between Bolivia and South Korea and to
    my amazement I recognized the ref as one I had seen do a Scottish
    Premier Match in Edinborough two years ago (Hearts-Airdrie). His name
    is Leslie something-or-other and in my opinion he is an arse. His MO
    has remained in tact......don't call the big fouls - call the obscure..
    run around with the whistle firmly stuck in the mouth..don't allow
    first aid on the field, blow the whistle loud and often, and make sure
    that there is plenty of added time...Last night he added 5+ minutes to
    the first half and 8+ minutes to the second. At the end of the game the
    field was strewn with collapsed players suffering from exhaustion and
    cramps. This ref's attitude clearly overshadowed the game...he wanted
    to be the center of attention and showed everyone there, including the
    fans, that he was the boss. Get this kind of ref'ing out of here..send
    this sucker home. Most of the ref'ing has been good but this guy is 
    something else. When I saw who the ref was I turned to my family and
    said "We're in for a long night...this game will go 100 minutes you
    wait and see"..well it went 113 to 114 minutes and everyone in our 
    section was screaming at him to wake up and check his watch. One bad
    apple doesn't necessarily spoil the entire barrel but I hope I don't
    have to sit through another match like last night.
    
    Jerry

    Did anyone watch last nights match between Italy and Norway?
    
    Well, i have a few points to make.
    
    1.  The goalkeeper should not have been sent off
    
    2.  Norways goal should have counted since there was already a goal
    scored in the world cup where the attacking team handled the ball in
    the penalty area and proceeded to score.
    
    3.	The booking of players who do not get onto the 'lift-of
    -the-field-and-get-a-drink' is ridiculous.  If the referee pulled a
    muscle would a linesman have to book him if he did not get onto a
    strectcher?
    
    The only other comment I have to make is that I am of to the pub to
    drink myself silly as IRELAND play Mexico.
    
    
    OJ OJ OJ  OJ 

    re .6 
     
    
    > ...you can only enter the field where you left...?
    
    There is a rule that subs must enter from midfield, and only AFTER the
    person they are replacing comes off at that same spot.
    
    A player can not reenter the field of play without the ref's approval.
    Since the (third) linesman at midfield is the one who signals the ref for 
    people coming on the field (i.e. subs), I'd think that a player who comes 
    off (e.g. for first aid) should (would?) come back in at midfield also.
    
    
    			Jeff

re.10

I don't agree with the rule that a player should be sent off in such a case...
but FIFA set the rules, not the referee.. he is just the executioner. It 
would almost certainly have been a goal if the keeper had not handled outside
his box... so he had to go... Personally I think a better rule would be that
the referee awards a goal (he has already made the decision it would be a 
goal by sending the player off) and not send off the player. 


The advantage of this is.

1. The team is penalised immediately, directly and justly
2. Players and supporters do not have to put up with the silly situation
of 11 players v 10
3. Teams to play against the offending team (in following matches) are not
given the advantage of having a player from the opposition suspended.

A similar situation exists in Rugby (penalty try) and it seems to work.

Back to the Italy game... Where the referee could have used some commonsense 
was when Maldini came back on and the referee insisted he hobble to the 
halfway line... that was not a game influencing decision, and he should have 
used a bit of savvy.

Enjoy your drink!
Norman

 commentator).. I reckon he's never played football in his life... well 
actually
at school he was probably the spotty, bespectacled fat boy that was put
in goal for the team that no-one wanted to play for... and now he's
taking his revenge ;-)

Norman



Norman,

	Next time we get a game, do you want to go in goal ? 

8*) Andy

    Would someone like to explain how the "hand ball" by the Dutch
    goalie on Saturday out of the box differed from the one in the
    Italian game when the goalie got red carded and banned for two
    games?  This time despite the linesman signaling, the ref not only
    didn't card the goalie, he didn't even whistle for a foul.  30 
    seconds later as though to make sure something he signaled was 
    called, the same linesman called offside when the replay clearly 
    showed the player to be onside.  Overall not an impressive 
    performance by this reffing team.

    Sorry if I'm beginning to sound over critical but at this level 
    they should at least be consistent.  

    By the way, our friend from Scotland is doing the game at Foxboro 
    next week.  Look out for another 100+ minutes!

    Gerry

    RE.-1
    I agree that the ref in Belgium - Holland was worth less than I can
    produce when I'm taking a dump!  :)
    He didn't understand the game at all. Games between Holland and Belgium
    are always special. The rivalry is great, and the ref seemed to pull a
    card for every foul a dutch player made.
    
    What about the foul on Jonk, just outside the 16 m. area?
    Free kick for BELGIUM!??! Bergkamp protests and gets yellow!
    How about the hands by the Belgium defender (De Wolf??) in the injury
    time of the second half? Clear penalty, but the ref doesn't even blow
    his whistle. And what was the linesman doing? He must have seen it.
    
    About the hands outside the area by the dutch goalie: I didn't see the
    Italian goalie, but in this case, the goalie had his hands before his
    body, and the attacking Belgian shot the ball against him (did he hit
    his hands??), so the goalie didn't use his hands on purpose.
    Ball against hand vs. hand against ball.
    
    Marcel

    MEXICO 2 IRELAND 1
    
    
    Well we have to hand it to the mexicans, they produced FOUR chances
    throughout the game and scored two.  Ireland should have been two in
    front before Mexico scored but thats the way it goes.
    
    I suppose the two big talking points about the game were the Mexicans
    goalkeepers jersey and the second-half interlude on the touchline.  I
    must say that thank god the colombians didn't see the goalkeepers
    jersey or there would have been some real fun!!!!!
    
    However, the drama on the touchline was real good viewing.  Would John
    Aldridge out do Frank Bruno and actually hit an American, would Jack do
    it, and what was the statistics regarding foul language in that period
    ?  Well I agree that some sort of punishment should have been dealt
    out, but $20,000?   They fined John Aldridge $1850 for foul language. 
    I wonder is that because they could understand him, because I've never
    heard of a scouse interpetrer at a World Cup before.  And if they fine
    players for swearing at officials, well a lot of players are going to
    be out-of-pocket.
    
    But the match is over, we lost but that goal could be a real saviour. 
    Onward to Tuesday night when we take on fellow Europeans, Norway.  The
    referee is from S. America I believe, more FIFA level-headiness. 
    Here's hoping we qualify.
    
    As the saying goes here,
    
    
    " Norway.   NO WAY "
    
    
    OJ OJ OJ   OJ
    
    

re .15

Marcel, as I said in anaother note, you Dutch will never change. You're still 
moaning about something Ed De Goey admitted already that he took the ball with his 
hands and deserved the red card. And this was shown on the Dutch tele. The ref 
held up your chances because at that time both Dutch substitutions were already 
made.
As for the hands of De Wolf, I think you need to buy a new TV-set, as you still 
saying that after all those replays, he took the ball with his hands.

Why can't you be a fair looser and admit the defeat?

Paddy

    RE.Paddy
    As is said somewhere else:
    Even the Germans said that we deserved a penalty, because De Wolf *did*
    touch it with his hands. It's one thing to try to look like Maradona
    ('86), but why not try it with fair play.
    
    About admitting that we lost fair and square: impartial people are
    saying it should have been a draw, we say we should have won, or tied
    at least, and you say you won deservedly. A draw would have been
    fairer, and I know that somewhere in your heart you feel the same, but
    are just *too* glad/relieved to admit.
    
    Marcel

    
    	I think Aldridge's language, clearly audible on prime-time TV,
    	was a disgrace that deserved censure.
    
    	Calling FIFA officials "F***in' cheats!" and threatening with
    	clenched fists, not once but three or four times, needing to be
    	restrained by his own camp...the man let himself down badly here,
    	and should apologise. I have heard of no such apology being offered
    	to the officials.
    
    	Charlton tried to take the issue on with the official and is now
    	suffering for earlier, rightful imo, criticism that forced FIFA to
    	bow, to the benefit of all the teams.
    
    	To ITV's shame also, I have yet to hear any condemnation whatsoever
    	for Aldridge's foul laguage and aggressive posturing. I can't
    	imagine the extent of wringing hands if an Argie ("filthy rotten
    	foreigner", "dirty dago" and other moronic Sun headlines) had
    	behaved like that...
    
    	Just beat Norway, for heavens' sake....
    
    	Andy.
    

    RE -1
    
    I'd agree with you on that one. Aldridge let himself down
    by freaking out on the touchline. I thought he was lucky
    to escape without being banned for the Norway game. 
    
    Jim.
    

    He's crap anyway....8*)
    
    

    
    Fair enough TGA was a bit out of order. But I can understand his
    frustration - Ireland were 2 down, the man he was replacing was already
    off the pitch, and the FIFA official wouldn't let him on - while play
    was continuing (I might add). What would have happened if Mexico had
    have scored another??
    In my view, the FIFA official could do with a fine too.
    
    Nobody (that I can remember) has commented on Irwins booking for time
    wasting. I could not believe that descision!! - I timed Irwin picking
    up and throwing the ball - 10 seconds. 
    
    I think the quality of the refereeing in this competition has been the
    worst I can remember.
    
    Al.

    Here's who's reffing the next few games:-

ALL REFEREES TO STAY UNTIL END OF GROUP MATCHES

DALLAS, June 24 (Reuter) - No World Cup referees will be sent home until
after the end of the 36 first round group matches, FIFA general secretary
Sepp Blatter said on Friday.

Blatter, who said earlier that FIFA was generally pleased with refereeing
standards at the World Cup though dissatisfied with some individual
officials, told a news conference a review would not be made until the group
games were over.

FIFA president Joao Havelange said before the tournament started that
referees would be sent home immediately if they failed to comply with a
directive to send off players who tackled from behind.

Five players have been shown red cards at the finals, though none for a
tackle from behind.

FIFA also announced the match officials for the final 10 games of the first
round as follows:

June 27 - Chicago (Bolivia v Spain) - referee Rodrigo Badilla (Costa
Rica)/linesmen Raimundo Garcia Calix (Honduras), Yousif al-Ghattan (Bahrain).

- Dallas (Germany v South Korea) - referee Joel Quiniou (France)/linesmen
Valentin Ivanov (Russia), Abdel-Magid Hassan (Egypt).

June 28 - New York (Ireland v Norway) - referee Jose Joaquin Torres Cadena
(Colombia)/linesmen Paulo Alves (Brazil), Park Hae-yong (South Korea).

- Washington (Italy v Mexico) - referee Francisco Lamolina
(Argentina)/linesmen Ernesto Taibi (Argentina), Eugene Brazzale (Australia).

- San Francisco (Russia v Cameroon) - referee Jamal al-Sharif
(Syria)/linesmen Dunster, Dolstra.

- Detroit (Brazil v Sweden) - referee Sandor Puhl (Hungary)/linesmen Sandor
Marton (Hungary), Luc Matthys (Belgium).

June 29 - Orlando (Morocco v Netherlands) - referee Alberto Tejada Noriega
(Peru)/linesmen Venancio Zarate (Paraguay), Mikael Everstig (Sweden).

- Washington (Belgium v Saudi Arabia) - referee Hellmut Krug
(Germany)/linesmen Brazzale, Taibi.

June 30 - Boston (Greece v Nigeria) - referee Leslie Mottram
(Scotland)/linesmen Park, Alves.

- Dallas (Argentina v Bulgaria) - referee Neji Jouini (Tunisia)/linesmen
Tapio Yli-Carro (Finland), El Jilali Rharib (Morocco). 


    Gerry

        
    Has anyone noticed the similarity between John Aldridge and Harry
    Enfield ? Could they perhaps be related ?
    
    Just curious, 
    
    Andy 

    re. 24
    
    I think John Aldridge looks and talks funnier than Enfield
    
    
    OJ OJ OJ   OJ

    Re: .23
    
    Thanks for on-the-spot report, Gerry. Keep up the good work !
    
    Re: June 30th Dallas ->  I always thought that Tunisians and 
    Moroccans hated each other ?
    
    
    Jerry.

    Well Ireland have qualified for the next phase.  I am just wondering
    what ye all think about Ray Houghton getting a yellow card for running
    with a plastic bag of water in his hand.  Is it over the top or what ?  
    
    Another point is that the refereeing seems to be getting better.  Is it
    the referees or is it that the players are watching themselves and
    allowing goals like the goal-of-the-tournament from Saudi Arabia last
    night
    
    
    OJ OJ OJ   OJ

To make it worse that was Ray Houghton's catheter (or was it Ronnie 
Whelan's?) ;-)

Norman

    Anyone got any stats on the number of yellow cards per game in the WC
    compared to the average number in an English league match?
    
    The number of bookings seem to me to be way over the top, a lot of them
    for petty 'offences' and are beginning to spoil the games for me.
    
    Tony.

Okay, who was the linesman, during the USA vs Brazil game, who called 
OFFSIDE, .... on a THROW - IN !!!!!!

Thank goodness the ref motioned the linesman to put his flag down ... !!!

Geez, this is the world's best??  Give me the local 12 and 13 year olds from 
Mass. or New Hampshire to do my games then ....

	John

    	I'm sure this has been asked before, but I couldn't locate it, so:

    	Is there any real reason why the referee's game clock isn't
    connected to the stadium clock so that players and spectators know how
    much time there really is remaining in a half or a game?  There is no
    technical reason, as the World Cup is played in US football stadiums
    which already have such hookups.  At this level of play, with so much
    riding on each game, it seems ludicrous for such elementary
    information to be a deep dark secret.

    	Of course, the referees probably don't want it exposed just how
    arbitrary their timekeeping is.

    		David

	re .31

>    	Is there any real reason why the referee's game clock isn't
>    connected to the stadium clock so that players and spectators know how
>    much time there really is remaining in a half or a game?  There is no
>    technical reason, as the World Cup is played in US football stadiums
>    which already have such hookups.

	Please clarify this. Are you saying that there is provision for a
	wireless connection between a timepiece on the field of play and
	the public scoreboard.

	I thought the reason the problem did not arise with U.S. sports was
	that the clock was the responsibility of a different official, who
	was not running up and down the arena of play.

	Tony

> 	Please clarify this. Are you saying that there is provision for a
> 	wireless connection between a timepiece on the field of play and
> 	the public scoreboard.

> 	I thought the reason the problem did not arise with U.S. sports was
> 	that the clock was the responsibility of a different official, who
> 	was not running up and down the arena of play.

    	My understanding is that there is such a connection to an official
    on the field.  I think it's the field judge or back judge, of the
    half-dozen or so officials in U.S. football, who keeps time.

    	You can't have an official who is in a fixed position, who would be
    too far removed from being able to react accurately to the play.  In
    U.S. football the clock stops for many reasons, such as out-of-bounds,
    scoring plays, incomplete forward passes, and requested timeouts.

    	Up to some time in the '60s, the official time was not connected to
    the scoreboard, and U.S. football still has the anachronism of a
    2-minute warning at the end of each half.  It remains as an extra
    opportunity for commercials.  But I digress.

    		David

>        My understanding is that there is such a connection to an official
>    on the field.  I think it's the field judge or back judge, of the
>    half-dozen or so officials in U.S. football, who keeps time.

Not my understanding, but it really doesn't matter.  The referees have 
control over the clock, whether they tell an off-field official to stop play 
by a hand signal, or in some sports, such as hockey, by blowing a whistle.  
Occasionally, referees in hockey, basketball, or American football will have 
the clock reset.  

Football referees could easily signal a stoppage to an off-field 
timekeeper, or I'm sure the technology exists for a football referee to 
directly control a stadium clock, especially since stopping the clock is so 
infrequent.  My guess the reason the don't is the same as David's; that they 
are somewhat arbitrary in when they stop it.

Clay

Unless they have changed the rules ( note for O'Noters and McNoters ..England
won the World Cup in '66.... J Motson ), the referee has complete responsibility
for how long the game lasts, and to the best of my knowledge he is not hooked
up to any clock, and just relies on his watch/es.

Stuart

    
    I like it the way it is due to the added exitement factor,
    
     i.e the game is tied the clock says 90 minutes and you don't know how
     long is actually left....4 minutes into injury time your team scores
     the supporters go mad and the opposition fans are absolutely gutted.
    
    Many games have been and will be decided AFTER the 90 minutes are up
    if you don't know how long is left there is always increased
    anticipation.
    
    G.  
    

>   I like it the way it is due to the added exitement factor,
>   
>    i.e the game is tied the clock says 90 minutes and you don't know how
>    long is actually left....4 minutes into injury time your team scores
>    the supporters go mad and the opposition fans are absolutely gutted.
>   
    
    I like that too, Gordon, like the 4th game of the season last year, Ahh
    what fond memories 8-;
    
    Andy.
    

    one reason for not showing the time on a stadium clock is that the 
    games doesn't finish afterexactly 45 or 90mins.
    
    The referee is supposed to wait until the game reaches a lull
    before blowing for time (ball in middle of park etc.). Do you
    not remember the incident when a `world class' referee from England
    signalled full time as the ball was on its way in from a corner.
    Unfortunately he blew between the ball being kicked and someone
    heading in a goal (I think it was Brazil) and disallowed the goal.
    
    What a fuss there was.....
    
    --Ian
    

    The referee on the field keeps time.  That person, and that person
    alone, decides how much time to add on to the standard 90 minutes.
    He/she is not, and don't believe ever will be, 'wired' to some
    automatic system.  The reasons for adding time are for injuries,
    delays (such as the goal falling down the other day), and 
    time-wasting. The amount to be added is solely at his/her 
    discretion.  Deliberate time-wasting can also draw a yellow card.

    The clocks running at stadiums are simply started when the ref 
    blows his whistle - nothing very scientific!

    Gerry

>>    The referee is supposed to wait until the game reaches a lull
>>    before blowing for time (ball in middle of park etc.). 

    Not true.  The ref can/should blow when time has expired
    regardless of where play is. The ball could be anywhere when that
    happens.  Now whether a ref is going to blow when a ball in
    withing a metre of going into the goal is probably a moot point!
    Given the mood of the some crowds, discretion may be the better
    part of valor!! 

    Gerry

             <<< Note 401.38 by MOVIES::PATTISON "Ian Pattison" >>>
                         -< a half is not 45 minutes >-

    
>    The referee is supposed to wait until the game reaches a lull
>    before blowing for time (ball in middle of park etc.). Do you
>    not remember the incident when a `world class' referee from England
>    signalled full time as the ball was on its way in from a corner.
>    Unfortunately he blew between the ball being kicked and someone
>    heading in a goal (I think it was Brazil) and disallowed the goal.
    
 

    Wasn't that Clive Thomas of Wales?

    Stuart

    It was Mr Thomas... he made himself a bit unpopular with Brazil
    when he blew his whistle as the ball flew over the six yard line.
    Another half second and Brazil would have won the game, I can't
    remember who they played though,
    
    Jim.

>>    The referee is supposed to wait until the game reaches a lull
>>    before blowing for time (ball in middle of park etc.). Do you
>>    not remember the incident when a `world class' referee from England
>>    signalled full time as the ball was on its way in from a corner.
>>    Unfortunately he blew between the ball being kicked and someone
>>    heading in a goal (I think it was Brazil) and disallowed the goal.
    
 

>    Wasn't that Clive Thomas of Wales?
    
    I think you're right, Stuart. 
    
    I do wish the Scottish and Irish noters would refrain from bringing
    England into every World Cup discussion in this conference - will you
    get it into your heads once and for all that England didn't qualify?
    
    ;-) ;-)
    
    Dom

   In youth and school soccer here, I have always watched the referee and 
   noted when they actually stopped and restarted their wrist watch/timer
   during delays, starting and stopping my own watch as well.  I have 
   always been able to anticipate to almost the second when the ref's alarm 
   would go off and the whistle would be blown.  Most of them will let play 
   go on past that only for the conclusion of an immediate and imminent threat 
   on goal, and then only if the outcome of the game is in the balance.

   At the WC level, I did not notice any refs going to their wrist to 
   stop or restart a watch during any of the games at Foxboro.  Maybe I 
   just didn't see it, but I think they let their watch keep ticking. 

   Do these guys just estimate in their mind how much wasted time they 
   think has ocurred during the 45 minutes and then allow play to continue 
   in injury time until it "feels right"?  That sure seems like an invitation 
   to controversy.

   Clark - "Who always forgot to restart his own watch after a stoppage when 
           he was pressed into refereeing duties, and was always thankful 
           he made it a habit to note the exact time that a half started!"

    
    In American football, the referee holds his arms up while the clock
    should be stopped, and then drops and swings the arm while blowing the
    whistle to signal the timekeeper (not a referee) to start the clock
    which everyone can see.  For stoppages (such as someone running out of
    bounds) the referee stands where the ball went out and waves his arms
    over his head, again to signal the timekeeper.  In this manner, the
    scoreboard keeps the official time.
    
    I don't see why the time could not be stopped when the flags go up for
    an out-of-bounds so that the timekeeper could stop the clock, and then
    restart the clock when the throw-in or corner kick occurs.  I also
    don't see why the clock can't be stopped for an injury, and the ref
    could blow the whistle and drop his arm to indicate a restart of play. 
    
    These are not complicated solutions.  Referees are just as exact (or
    inexact) as the timekeepers, and both forget to flip a switch or drop
    the arm just as often.  This would really take a lot of the guessing
    out and I feel would really improve the game.
    
    Mike

    I like it just the way it is now as noted in earlier replies!  If you
    automatically stop play when the ball goes out of bounds we'd be
    playing 60 min. halves!!
    
    No one can go 100% out flat for 45 minutes.  I think the current length
    of each half assumes a bit of "stoppage of play."  
    
    As to letting everyone "see" my watch -- NO WAY.  I need a bit of
    flexibility so that I don't get one of those whistles while the ball is
    on the way to the goal.  Most ref's will decide when to stop play and
    let the last "attack" finish before blowing the whistle.
    
    As to stopping and restarting my watch, I agree that it's tough to
    remember to restart all the time. (I wear two watches, one with the
    regular time so I know that if I started at 10:00 that I should end at
    10:45!)  So I tend to look at my regular watch when someone is hurt,
    and then again when I start play to get a rough amount of time to add.
    I use a count down watch so the alarm does go off at 45 min, and
    then it counts up until I chose to stop play)
    
    Regards,
    			Jeff

    In the "Crazy Refereeing Decisions Competition", the booking of Popescu
    (Rumania) against Sweden has sneaked into third place, behind the
    Bulgarian (Emil ?), sent off against Mexico, and Zola of Italy, sent
    off against Nigeria.
    
    Popescu closes down the Swedish defender Ljung as the latter is
    clearing the ball. Popescu actually attempts to pull up short for fear of
    receiving the clearance full in the face, but probably makes contact
    with Ljung's trailing foot. Ljung goes down clutching his knee (the
    replay suggested that he did in fact turn awkwardly), and an
    incredulous Popescu turns round to see the referee waving a yellow card
    at him. This would also have meant automatic suspension for the
    semi-final.
    
    For the record, the referee was one Philip Don of England (the country
    that Scottish/Irish noters might recall won the 1966 World Cup, but is
    sadly absent from WC94 ;-))
    
    Dom

    
    Dom,
    
    	good old Phil made a  couple of great decisions last night. Didn't
    he book the Rumanian left went Brolin went down as he was flying down
    the wing? The TV reply from infront of them show clear air between the
    plaers & Brolin takes a dive. Have to admit, he even hoodwinked Archie
    McFearsome.
     
    JBG

    
    
    re last
    
     The ref was quite a bit behind play when the Brolin "I'm better
    than Klinsman" dive took place. The linesman however was running
    alongside the 2 players and must of the dive by Brolin but did
    nothing to indicate otherwise to the ref.
    
     Danny.
    
    
    
    

    
    What's wrong with Brolins bottom lip then? It looks like he's rubbed it
    along a cheese-grater.
    
    Tony
    
    

    
    Any comments on Tassotti's elbow job on Luis Enrique (in the penalty
    area) that broke the Spaniard's nose in three places?
    
    I'm sure Leonardo of Brazil might have something to say about it...
    
    Dom

    
    Let's face it, FIFA haven't got the guts to do anything about it. The
    Ref never spotted it, Italy are very powerful in the FIFA hierachy,
    basically there is no chance of Tassotti getting even a ticking off.
    
    Tony
    
    

    
    Even if they do give him a four match ban (the same penalty inflicted
    on Leonardo), justice won't be done; the incident took place in the
    heart of the penalty area.
    
    Tassotti admitted his guilt (given the TV evidence, he couldn't really
    have done much else), but came out with the usual crap about "these
    things happen in football...it was all such a muddle...I don't know
    whether it was my fist or my elbow (!)". He said that he attempted to
    apologise to Luis Enrique, "the Spaniard was too upset" (well there's a
    turnup for the books!). The latest is that Tassotti wants to send him a
    telegram.
    
    That's some consolation when you've been refused a penalty, been
    eliminated from the World Cup, and had your nose broken in three
    places. I'm sure he'll treasure that telegram for life.
    
    Dom
    
    P.S. I saw the game in a remote part of the Alps and couldn't get hold
    of a newspaper the next day. Is it true that the referee gave Luis
    Enrique the red card, as the Italian commentator originally stated? If
    so, the incident goes straight in at no. 1 of the "Crazy Refereeing
    Decisions Competition" (see a few back).
    
    P.P.S. Quote of the Day? Luciano Paverotti, the Italian tenor: "At last
    - a referee who didn't have it in for us!". 
    Stick to opera singing, old son...

    I'M SURE IT WAS DONE ON PURPOSE!!!!
    
    
    NAHHHHHHHHHHHH!
    
    NP

I'm old enough (35), to remember Clive "the book' Thomas as being one of the
worst referees of his era. The incident in the Brazil/Sweden game, where he 
blew for time as the ball was about to enter the net was not the only time 
he did the same... he did so in at least one other English League game... 
and all so he could gain notoriety to sell more copies of his autobiography.

Tecnically, of course he was correct... as the whistle should be blown when the
time for the game has elapsed... regardless of where the ball is. Most referees
of employ common sense, and blow when there is no danger to either goal,
and where they can retrieve the match ball ;-) 

Clive Thomas has gone on record as saying that the referees in this world cup
are behaving like robots... talk about the kettle calling the pot black ;-)
I think that it is the over liberal use of cards that got Philip Don his
appointment to the FIFA world cup list... he is the modern day equivalent
of Clive Thomas! Bring back Jack Taylor!!

Norman

    Dear Moderators
    
    I would like to ask that .52 and .54 are set hidden immediately as they
    do not have any reference to 1966 in them. This is surely an indication
    that someone has hacked that fellow's account and this constitutes a
    breach of security.
    
    Thank You 
    
    Scot S. Hughmur

    re: .57
    Quite right, that man! 
    
    What I didn't get around to saying in .52 and .54 was that Italy were
    knocked out of WC66 by North Korea. As for Spain, I've no idea how they
    got on - although their Argentinian cousins lost 1-0 to the host
    nation, England, thanks to a Geoff Hurst on the half hour (not sure
    about that last bit, but it sounds good, anyway ;-)).
    
    >Thank You 
    >
    >Scot S. Hughmur
    
    But I thought Scot S. Hughmur died in Argentina in 1978?

    re last
    
    No it did not die in '78.
    
    It's alive and well and making fun of England as we speak.
    
    Kev..

    With Tassotti getting 8 games suspension for ' throwing an elbow ' has
    FIFA not set dangerous, even unprecedented standards that even they can
    not ignore in the future.  OK an elbow in the face is dangerous but
    what about those footballers who seem to think that every time they
    tackle with two feet in the air that the ball is always 2 feet off the
    ground.  Will FIFA make all football assocciations give out such
    suspensions.  
    
    I think that the suspension is good, but will it be enforced in the
    future in other cases.  I think not!!
    
    Has anyone any thoughts on the Brazilian goal where Romario wlaked back
    from an offside position and was deemed to be not interfering with
    play.  Looking at the way Romario plays, it could be said that he did
    interfere with play.  Just watch the semi-final.  He never runs a lot
    like other forwards.  He walks about, makes a run to get the ball and
    then scores.  But I think that it was a good decision by the referee
    and the linesman.
    
    Also, in the penalty shoot-out, the referee ( was he an Englishman ),
    should have booked one of the Romanians.  The Romanian scored the
    penalty and then went up to the goalie and started to shout at him. 
    Surely at such a tense occasion, the referee should have booked him. 
    Maybe the ref thought it was OK.
    
    Here's to a great match between Brazil and Sweden and let footbal be
    the winner.
    
    OJ OJ OJ

    re: .60
    >Tassotti got 8 games suspension. Sacchi sacked him yesterday.
    
    JF, apart from the wordplay, what's this all about? Has Sacchi taken
    action against Tassotti as well?
    
    I didn't hear anything about this, although I know that Sacchi spoke
    very seriously with Tassotti after the game.
    
    Dom
    
    P.S. CLAIM TO FAME: A few years ago, I found myself behind Mauro 
    Tassotti (+ wife) in the queue at the supermarket. I kept well clear of
    any flying elbows, mind you... ;-)
    

re .-2

I think that the penalty taker shouted at the keeper because the keeper
was trying to distract him before the kick was taken. I think the
referee had a word with the keeper about this too. Note that the penalty
taker only expressed his anger AFTER taking the kick and scoring. That
makes him the good guy in my book. If he had made an issue of it before
taking the kick, it would be difficult to decide who was using gamesmanship
the most. His policy was to score the goal and then shout at the keeper,
which seems to me more or less acceptable.

    I have read that the romanian player went after Ravelli after scoring
    the penalty because Ravelli had taunted him when the romanian fellow
    took a dive during the game ( "why don't you get up and play?" is what 
    Ravelli is reported as having said...IMHO the romanian must have come
    back at him something about Ravelli's sister;-)...). In any event, it 
    backfired sinve Ravelli got the best of the penalty shoot-out...
    
    What do our swedish friends think of Ravelli ? I found him quite 
    suspicious on some of the shots during the game and he looks like a 
    potential liability to me... the commentator on ABC kept saying that he
    once cleared 6ft10 in high jump when he was younger, hence he is/was a 
    great athlete, etc...
    
    Jacques 
    

    I watched both recent penalty "shoot outs."  Is it my imagination or in
    the first match did the the keepers move around after the players ran to 
    the ball, but prior to their hitting it? (Of course this would be a 
    violation). In the Romanian match, however, they seemed to stand still 
    (except for the Ravelli kick!) until the ball was kicked.
    
    It would have been an interesting sight if the ref gave another attempt
    to someone who's kick missed, but the keeper was moving too soon!!
    
    Regards,			Jeff
    

    
    	Jeff, in the Sweden / Romania penalty shoot out the Romanian keeper
    dived early every time. It seemed to me that it only served to help the
    penalty takers as they slotted the ball in the opposite corner. On the
    last penalty (1st sudden death penalty), the Romanian keeper came a
    good metre and more off his line before the ball was struck. The
    Swedish keeper was also not innocent. He definitely tried to put off a
    couple of the kickers by waving his arms about before the kick was
    taken. However, the two saves he made were excellent. He had very little
    chance with two goals scored against him in normal time and clearly
    kept Sweden in the world cup single handedly (with his left hand to be
    precise 8-)......so I wouldn't be thinking of dropping him!
    
    JBG
       

    Just a small joke about the World Cup.....
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    The other day when Germany were playing Bulgaria, I was getting quite
    thirsty.  So I decided to get up and make myself a cup of tea. 
    Unfortunately, when I was getting up I accidently knocked the TV, and
    Klinnsman fell over!!
    
    
    
    OJ OJ OJ OJ