Bad Officiating | Righting The Wrong in Sports Officiating » Soccer

Massive Soccer Scandal Brewing in Europe

refpolice — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:17:41 +0000

On the heels of an embarrassing blunder by officials in the Ireland – France qualifying game last month involving one of the sports biggest stars, Thierry Henri, the soccer world had been tossed on its ear again. FIFA is rocked by the pending betting & match-fixing charges being sought by German prosecutors. The charges allege that a syndicate of mob run online gambling outfits have conspired to rig match outcomes and gambling revenues across Europe. The alleged tactics, which include payment to a Yugoslavian cook for spiking players food with chemicals to make players sick, are beginning to become clear. A central figure in the investigation is a Croatian name Ante Sapina, who recently completed a jail sentence for a soccer match-fixing scandal from 2006. To make matters worse, FIFA recently held meetings in Johannesburg which were supposed to make public new officiating protocols and video replay for the 2010 World Cup. But the only thing accomplished at the meeting was the decision to do nothing and make no changes for the World Cup. Apparently in the soccer world, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

World Cup Disaster: No Luck for the Irish

refpolice — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:17:12 +0000

In extra time play in the World Cub qualifier with winner move-on and loser go home implications, French star Thierry Henry assisted the the game-winning goal right after using his left hand to prevent the ball from going over the end line. Video shows him deftly, and apparently out of the view of referees, tapping the ball back into play before flicking it with his right foot where a teammate score off a header. Fan across Europe and the rest of the world are outraged on how such an important and impactful play in the world biggest sporting event could go uncorrected. Lately soccer officials have come under scrutiny as the World Cup qualifiers are increasingly rife with poor judgement calls from referees, and, as in this case, just plain missed calls. This will and should stir debate on instant repplay being used in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Let’s hope the one in charge make the right decision, because soccer fans are an passionate bunch.

Denmark Fan Goes Bezerk Over Call in Euro Qualifier

refpolice — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 19:43:31 +0000

June 2, 2007 Copenhagen, Denmark – European Championship Qualifier

In the 89th minute of a match that feature a stunning comback by Denmark to tie the game, the referee red-carded a Demark player, and then awarded a penalty kick to Sweden. A Denmark fan was so excited about the comeback, then flabergasted by the call, he jumped the fence, charged the field and tried to attack the referee. His efforts were thwarted player from both sides but the message was clear: how on earth can you award a penalty kick in the last minute of a tied -up match with so much at stake? Unless someone was murdered in the penalty box, don’t fans deserve to see the game played out decided properly?