NationStates Jolt Archive


Worst Injustice of the World Cup?

Fire Sky
27-06-2006, 18:11
Which of these do you find was the worst injustice of the World Cup thus far?
The Ogiek People
27-06-2006, 18:33
Which of these do you find was the worst injustice of the World Cup thus far?

That there are still so few Americans that appreciate "the Beautiful Game."
Fleckenstein
27-06-2006, 18:35
Its obviously the Australia-Italy call. A four year old could tell he deliberately fell over him, not to mention the fact that is was a weak tackle straight on. I've seen people get jumped on their backs, pulled down, and elbowed in the box and nothing called compared to a blatant dive.

USA didnt deserve to go on.

Italy will feel the karma boomerang soon.

Groups are random.

Brazil have yet to be challenged.




That would be my response.
Emperor Matthuis
27-06-2006, 18:37
Options 1 and 2 are pretty much the same.

But diving is disgraceful and he obviously deliberately ran into the defender and fell over.
Greater Alemannia
27-06-2006, 18:37
Australia's offside goal against Croatia.
I V Stalin
27-06-2006, 18:45
England being in the quarter finals. :p
OcceanDrive
27-06-2006, 18:46
Australia's offside goal against Croatia.that zebra call was ugly
Fire Sky
27-06-2006, 18:47
Options 1 and 2 are pretty much the same.

But diving is disgraceful and he obviously deliberately ran into the defender and fell over.

I just want to note so its not thoroughly misunderstood by anybody that when I refer to Italy diving, they do it a lot. I've watched a lot of Italy's games and saw a lot of injustice there. Italy isn't as strong a team as they are dirty.
I V Stalin
27-06-2006, 18:49
Why complain about Italy when Portugal are worse? Their acting against Holland was disgraceful.
Fire Sky
27-06-2006, 18:49
That there are still so few Americans that appreciate "the Beautiful Game."

If you have nothing to add, don't add anything.
Fire Sky
27-06-2006, 18:51
Why complain about Italy when Portugal are worse? Their acting against Holland was disgraceful.

If Italy played Portugal, and the same ref was refing it that refed either the Italy USA or the Holland Portugal then it would be not even worth watching but to laugh at.
Llewdor
27-06-2006, 18:51
That Australian call was appalling.

Sure, diving happens constantly, and officials often make bad calls, but that's the one that directly influenced the outcome of a match.

Luckily, the tournament still works. Since truly strong teams usually aren't in a position to have one bad call ruin their match, the ultimate victor will still likely be a solid side.

Except, of course, when everything falls one way. England hasn't played well yet, and they're about to face a Portuguese side that will be a shell of itself after that match with the Dutch. England can make it to the semis without having exhibited skill or quality.

Germany and Brazil are the class of the tournament. It will be a shame if any other team wins.
OcceanDrive
27-06-2006, 18:52
dp
AllCoolNamesAreTaken
27-06-2006, 18:52
Which of these do you find was the worst injustice of the World Cup thus far?

That it STILL isn't over.
Ice Hockey Players
27-06-2006, 18:59
A few things:

The Italians getting past Australia was an injustice. Damnit, send it to OT. What, did the refs get lazy? Now there are no more underdogs left. Just Brazil, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Argentina, England, and whoever wins the Spain/France game. No underdogs there. Who gives a flying fig? It could have been the Socceroos against the world rather than a bunch of favorites going for it. Now all the fun is out of the game.

And just remember, kids, any call that goes against the U.S., no matter how ludicrous, is deserved. That or it wouldn't have made a difference anyway, which it probably wouldn't have; I don't know. Maybe if the U.S. had gotten some calls against Italy, they would have won, and maybe they would have tied Ghana. Which still wouldn't have made a difference, since I think Ghana held the tiebreaker advantage. So there. The U.S. is only good in every other World Cup.

1990? A disaster. The U.S. didn't win or even get a tie. Slaughtered by the Czechs, bested by the Italians, and then another loss to Austria, a team no one expected much from.

1994? OK, they did OK there. Granted, the Colombia win was on an own-goal, for which the poor sap got murdered, which is insane...maybe just smack him upside the head with an Ugly Stick, but not murder, come on...but then they lost to Brazil. But then again, everyone lost to Brazil.

1998? Ouch. The U.S. lost to Iran. Finished dead last. Lost to Germany, but Germany's good. I forget who else beat the U.S.

2002? Much better. A round-of-16 win over Mexico and a close call against the Germans.

But this year? 1990 all over again. Slaughetered by the Czechs, a tie against Italy that could have been a loss, and a 2-1 loss to a team no one expected much from. Sad.

Prediction? In 2010 in South Africa, the U.S. plays in groups against...I don't know, Spain, South Africa, and Mexico, and runs the table..well, they tie Spain and wallop the other two by mind-blowing scores of 1-0 and 3-1. Then in the knockout round, the U.S. gets past, say, Portugal and Italy before getting beaten 1-0 by eventual champion Brazil. Then in 2014 the U.S. loses all three games in shutouts to Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Argentina, a group they could win if they weren't still coached by Bruce Arena.
I V Stalin
27-06-2006, 19:00
If Italy played Portugal, and the same ref was refing it that refed either the Italy USA or the Holland Portugal then it would be not even worth watching but to laugh at.
True, but that's not my point. Why are you getting so worked up about Italy diving all over the place when Portugal are getting away with far far worse?
Kryozerkia
27-06-2006, 19:01
Where's the option for people who think this is a boring sport?
Greater Alemannia
27-06-2006, 19:02
Germany and Brazil are the class of the tournament. It will be a shame if any other team wins.

What about Argentina? They'll knock out Germany. Still... Brazil.
Llewdor
27-06-2006, 19:03
Now there are no more underdogs left.

Ukraine.

That Italy-Ukraine match is going to be two defensive shells with the ball left untouched at midfield for 2 hours.
OcceanDrive
27-06-2006, 19:03
Crouch The Hair Stroker !!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJrHkMc5_J8
Deep Kimchi
27-06-2006, 19:04
Ignorant Question Of the Day From An American Who Isn't Even a Fan of Any Sport

Don't they have instant replay in World Cup football? I mean, if a call is questionable, can't it be reviewed on video and revised?
I V Stalin
27-06-2006, 19:05
2002? Much better. A round-of-16 win over Mexico and a close call against the Germans.
It wasn't great. Sure, they reached the quarter finals and only lost that to a dodgy call against Germany, but they played poorly in the groups and only just scraped through (beating a poor Portuguese team, drawing with S. Korea and losing to Poland), then beating a Mexico team that was expected to win but hardly turned up for the match.
Helioterra
27-06-2006, 19:05
Why complain about Italy when Portugal are worse? Their acting against Holland was disgraceful.
Portugal got 9 card out of 10 fouls, Holland got 7 card out of 15 fouls...
I V Stalin
27-06-2006, 19:06
Ignorant Question Of the Day From An American Who Isn't Even a Fan of Any Sport

Don't they have instant replay in World Cup football? I mean, if a call is questionable, can't it be reviewed on video and revised?
No, there isn't. And yes, there is massive debate about whether there should be. However, the official line from FIFA is that it would disrupt the flow of the game too much - because of course having players rolling around on the floor for 5 minutes after the wind blew against their shorts doesn't disrupt the game.
OcceanDrive
27-06-2006, 19:07
Ignorant Question Of the Day From An American Who Isn't Even a Fan of Any Sport

Don't they have instant replay in World Cup football? I mean, if a call is questionable, can't it be reviewed on video and revised?a legitimate question.

Answer: the people running FIFA are corrupt and retarded.
I V Stalin
27-06-2006, 19:08
Portugal got 9 card out of 10 fouls, Holland got 7 card out of 15 fouls...
Your point? I seem to remember towards the end of the game the Portuguese keeper lying on the ground in "agony" being treated by the physio for at least 3 minutes, then 90 seconds later walloping a goal kick three quarters of the way down the pitch...and that's not the least of their acting.
Fleckenstein
27-06-2006, 19:08
What about Argentina? They'll knock out Germany. Still... Brazil.

Sure. And then they'll lose to Italy. :rolleyes:

Argentina/Germany will be a good match to watch, with lots of scoring. But, you cannot doubt the crowds. They put Germany on almost even footing with Brazil.
Helioterra
27-06-2006, 19:09
Anyway I picked Australia option but in general I hate the fact that the referees are almost always on the better team's side. For example in Holland-Ivory Coast (Brasil-Ghana).
Lunatic Goofballs
27-06-2006, 19:10
Which of these do you find was the worst injustice of the World Cup thus far?

A lack of rain and excellent field drainage. :(
Kazcaper
27-06-2006, 19:11
The penalty awarded in the Australia v Italy game was ridiculous. Also, the entire refereeing in the Portugal v Netherlands game was bloody awful (though it was entertaining at least).
Helioterra
27-06-2006, 19:12
Your point? I seem to remember towards the end of the game the Portuguese keeper lying on the ground in "agony" being treated by the physio for at least 3 minutes, then 90 seconds later walloping a goal kick three quarters of the way down the pitch...and that's not the least of their acting.
I did watch the game and I don't think that one was worse than the other. That was my point. Holland's players have deliberately hurt the other team (like Figo) and surprisingly enough, I don't like it.

(I mean Figo has done the same thing)
I V Stalin
27-06-2006, 19:13
I did watch the game and I don't think that one was worse than the other. That was my point. Holland's players have deliberately hurt the other team (like Figo) and surprisingly enough, I don't like it.

(I mean Figo has done the same thing)
Oh, yeah, both teams went at the other team's players like it was a war, but what I'm saying is that while the Dutch players didn't feign injury so much, the Portuguese were making the most of the slightest touch (or, in a few cases, no touch at all).
Fire Sky
27-06-2006, 19:15
True, but that's not my point. Why are you getting so worked up about Italy diving all over the place when Portugal are getting away with far far worse?

Prob because Italy always does this in the World Cup. They are the masters.
Helioterra
27-06-2006, 19:17
Oh, yeah, both teams went at the other team's players like it was a war, but what I'm saying is that while the Dutch players didn't feign injury so much, the Portuguese were making the most of the slightest touch (or, in a few cases, no touch at all).
ok, fair enough. I became anti-Holland (team of course) during the match against Ivory Coast.
Helioterra
27-06-2006, 19:18
Prob because Italy always does this in the World Cup. They are the masters.
I think it just a cliché. Everybody's doing it.
AB Again
27-06-2006, 19:19
What a load of crap is being posted here. Look, some teams lose and get eliminated. The USA were not mistreated, nor were Australia, they lost. The refs are the same for everyone.

The number of cards in the Portugal Holland match was the fault of the players, who tried to hack each other to pieces, and FIFA, not the ref who was only trying to do what Blatter had instructed to be done.

Australia lost because Neill made a stupid mistake.

The USA were not hard done by in any match.

The number of cards is silly, but the players have to learn not to kick the ball away/walk away with the ball/prevent the free kick from being taken quickly. Old habits die hard it seems. They were told that these actions would be penalised.
Gandae
27-06-2006, 19:19
I'd say that the refing in general was riduculus. It was most obvious in the U.S.-Italy game, but it was horrible all throughout group play, and definitaly in the Potugal-Netherlands one.
Kinda Sensible people
27-06-2006, 19:20
I'm amused at the bitching about the Portugal/Netherlands game. I watched the end of the game and it was beyond apparent that the refs were undercalling the game. Both teams were playing very dirty games (and the Dutch were attacking Portugal's keeper... Absolutely unnaceptable in any circumstances), and the refs were too bloody kind to them.

'Course I'm a useless yank who has only caught a few games when he was in a place with a TV and who hasn't played soccer in years (a badly sprained ankle caused me to stop playing in 6th grade, and I never went back), so what do I know?
Fire Sky
27-06-2006, 19:24
What a load of crap is being posted here. Look, some teams lose and get eliminated. The USA were not mistreated, nor were Australia, they lost. The refs are the same for everyone.

The number of cards in the Portugal Holland match was the fault of the players, who tried to hack each other to pieces, and FIFA, not the ref who was only trying to do what Blatter had instructed to be done.

Australia lost because Neill made a stupid mistake.

The USA were not hard done by in any match.

The number of cards is silly, but the players have to learn not to kick the ball away/walk away with the ball/prevent the free kick from being taken quickly. Old habits die hard it seems. They were told that these actions would be penalised.


Refs are same for everybody? Not hardly. They aren't even same refs how could you say such
I V Stalin
27-06-2006, 19:24
I'm amused at the bitching about the Portugal/Netherlands game. I watched the end of the game and it was beyond apparent that the refs were undercalling the game. Both teams were playing very dirty games (and the Dutch were attacking Portugal's keeper... Absolutely unnaceptable in any circumstances), and the refs were too bloody kind to them.

'Course I'm a useless yank who has only caught a few games when he was in a place with a TV and who hasn't played soccer in years (a badly sprained ankle caused me to stop playing in 6th grade, and I never went back), so what do I know?
The ref had completely lost control of that game by then, so it's not surprising he didn't give so many fouls towards the end. I think he'd lost interest to be honest.
Helioterra
27-06-2006, 19:25
What a load of crap is being posted here. Look, some teams lose and get eliminated. The USA were not mistreated, nor were Australia, they lost. The refs are the same for everyone.


That's the whole point. They really aren't.
AB Again
27-06-2006, 19:27
Refs are same for everybody? Not hardly. They aren't even same refs how could you say such

In any given match, both sides have to deal with the same referee. Some make mistakes, but so does anyone and the mistakes can go either way. Think a little huh.
AB Again
27-06-2006, 19:29
That's the whole point. They really aren't.

So each team has its own ref in the game huh. NO. THE REF IS THE SAME FOR BOTH TEAMS.

Now shut up wingeing about the refs just because your team lost. It is pathetic.
Helioterra
27-06-2006, 19:31
So each team has its own ref in the game huh. NO. THE REF IS THE SAME FOR BOTH TEAMS.

Now shut up wingeing about the refs just because your team lost. It is pathetic.
So I get it. You're a referee.

If you aren't, just watch any of the games were the other team is supposed to be much stronger than the other.

btw MY team has never been in WC and I'm quite ready to say that they never will :D
But we'll see. Finland-Portugal on September..
Fire Sky
27-06-2006, 19:32
In any given match, both sides have to deal with the same referee. Some make mistakes, but so does anyone and the mistakes can go either way. Think a little huh.

I did think and thats why I disagree.
AB Again
27-06-2006, 19:43
I did think and thats why I disagree.

What did you think? That the ref wanted team A to beat team B? Or that the ref wanted to do the best he could so that he would have a chance of being selected to refereee the final - the greatest honour a referee can have?

I know what I think is more likely.

So I get it. You're a referee.

If you aren't, just watch any of the games were the other team is supposed to be much stronger than the other.

btw MY team has never been in WC and I'm quite ready to say that they never will
But we'll see. Finland-Portugal on September..
No I am not a referee, but I have played enough competitive sport to know that when you prepare for a match, one of the essential things is to study the tendencies of the referee. If this were baseball and the Home Plate umpire is known to give low strikes, then you wouldn't leave balls that appeared a little low to you, would you.

As to ref bias, see my reply above to Fire sky.

Why do you think the stronger teams are the stronger teams? Perhaps it is because they have the better players. Now if you are faced with a players that are better than you, you will tend to foul more. Go examine the matches between the good teams and the weaker teams and you will see that the weaker teams nearly always commit more fouls. You will also see that the refs miss a foul here, or miscal a foul there. But if you analyse the numbers of these, you will find that there is no significant bias.

Oh, good luck to Finland for the Euro Copa. I am sorry I snapped, but I have had it up to my ears with the US and Aussie fans complaining that it wasn't fair. It was.
Swilatia
27-06-2006, 19:52
FIFAs new, overly strict rules.
Greater Alemannia
27-06-2006, 19:54
Biggest injustice of the WC? Ukraine being allowed to field Superman.

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/fifa//fi/up/20060626/1151356097.jpg

Couldn't resist using that pic again. Sorry.
I V Stalin
27-06-2006, 19:56
FIFAs new, overly strict rules.
Yes, they're strict, but the players and managers knew about them beforehand. So it's still their fault. Diving etc. isn't going to be removed from the game by doing nothing - the only way of eliminating such offences is through harsher penalties for those stupid enough to be caught in the act.

Personally I think bringing in instant video replays would cut down diving dramatically.
New Maastricht
27-06-2006, 20:08
Biggest injustice of the WC? Ukraine being allowed to field Superman.

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/fifa//fi/up/20060626/1151356097.jpg

Couldn't resist using that pic again. Sorry.

Hahaha excellent. :p
Greater Alemannia
27-06-2006, 20:34
Why does that picture always kill topics!?

Because Superman can kill anything. >_<
Ice Hockey Players
27-06-2006, 21:08
It wasn't great. Sure, they reached the quarter finals and only lost that to a dodgy call against Germany, but they played poorly in the groups and only just scraped through (beating a poor Portuguese team, drawing with S. Korea and losing to Poland), then beating a Mexico team that was expected to win but hardly turned up for the match.

South Korea and Poland...thanks, couldn't remember the U.S.'s other two opponents. The bottom line is, they did well enough to advance to the second round and won a match. Say what you will about their performance; it's the best the U.S. has done since before almost all of us were born. Hell, if I remember correctly, the U.S. didn't even qualify for about 40 years and then laid a goose-egg in 1990. Why it is FIFA decided to hold the World Cup in the U.S. in 1994 is absolutely beyond me.

And answer me this - is the U.S.'s 2006 performance really that much different from 1990?
I V Stalin
27-06-2006, 21:10
And answer me this - is the U.S.'s 2006 performance really that much different from 1990?
I don't know. I was 4 when the 1990 World Cup was being played, so I don't remember much of it.
Heikoku
27-06-2006, 21:36
AB, "Bem para burro" means you speak Portuguese "pretty damn well", if you will... =-)

"Prá burro" is an expression for "very" too...

Sorry for the misunderstanding. I'm sure you have similar expressions in English (Speaking English "bloody" well doesn't mean "falar inglês com sangue" ;)
Llewdor
27-06-2006, 22:17
The number of cards in the Portugal Holland match was the fault of the players, who tried to hack each other to pieces, and FIFA, not the ref who was only trying to do what Blatter had instructed to be done.

I came into the match just in time to see Deco's second yellow, and that was a good call. It was a deliberate, violent foul. Did the Dutch player deserve it? Maybe, but the rules don't allow for that.

Australia lost because Neill made a stupid mistake.

He laid down on the pitch, several feet clear of anyone. That doesn't warrant a penalty.
AB Again
27-06-2006, 22:38
I came into the match just in time to see Deco's second yellow, and that was a good call. It was a deliberate, violent foul. Did the Dutch player deserve it? Maybe, but the rules don't allow for that.
Agreed.



He laid down on the pitch, several feet clear of anyone. That doesn't warrant a penalty.
Making a sliding tackle in your own penalty area is asking to give away a penalty. He was not several feet clear of Grosso, he took Grosso's feet out from under him. Perhaps the Italian could have jumped over him, but he is under no obligation to avoid being fouled. It was a mistake by Neill.
Katurkalurkmurkastan
28-06-2006, 01:18
Personally I think bringing in instant video replays would cut down diving dramatically.
that would be a disaster... no matter what the call, the refs word should always be law on the field. the ref is as much a part of the game as anyone else. the new fifa rules are already making the game too much stop-and-go.
Neu Leonstein
28-06-2006, 01:27
None of the above.

I think it's the fact that defenders will get away with holding, shirt-grabbing and all sorts of other crap in the box, because if the ref would go after it it would be a penalty.

But as soon as a striker does it - swoosh, free kick.
New Zero Seven
28-06-2006, 01:28
The Italian guy that tripped over the Australian before he got a penalty kick to score a goal and win the game... yeah.. that guy... he was SMIRKING when he fell down. Who smirks when they fall down from a potentially good scoring opportunity? Pretty fishy if you ask me. Obviously he knew he was gunna get something outta that. That match looked like it was rigged...
Psychotic Mongooses
28-06-2006, 01:32
Who smirks when they fall down from a potentially good scoring opportunity?

Every striker.

The thing is not "OMFZG!! He dived!11!!" 9/10 times the defender makes a challenge when the striker is 'looking' for a foul that results in the foul being given. Its not cheating- it's part of the game.

If the defender is stupid enough to manhandle, slide, studs high etc etc in the box- then the benefit of the doubt will be given to the striker, and penalty duly awarded.

It happens. The defender should hold his ground. They say the best defenders have clean shorts. ;)
Demented Hamsters
28-06-2006, 11:50
The ref'ing in the Ukraine-Tunisa group game was the worst I've seen so far.
Not 'whole-match inconsistancy' bad, but 'two dodgy calls decided the game' bad.

Tun had a free kick which went over, and between, the heads of the Ukr players forming the wall. One of them had his hands up and deflected it over the crossbar.
It was ruled a corner.
Which meant the ref obviously saw it hit a Ukrainian player. From any angle it was obvious the ball had gone over, and between their heads. One player the ball went past had his hands stretched upright. So the most logical assumption one would expect would be that it had hit said players hands.
Handball in penalty area = penalty kick. Not corner.
Tunisa were denied a chance, mid-way thru the second 1/2 with scores 0 - 0 an almost certain goal.

Worse was to come -
The corner was successfully defended, Ukr got the ball and quickly got it down the other end to Schvenko. He ran into the penalty area but was harried by a defender. Running out of space and options, he fell over and was awarded a penalty kick for his acting ability (sorry, for having been 'pushed'). It was plainly obvious that there was no-one near him when he fell.
Again, anyone with a bit of common sense would have seen it as a dive. Why would a defender delibrately push a player, after having successfuly forced them towards the line and already prevented them from getting into a scoring position?
Said penalty kick was converted and Ukraine won the match 1 - 0, getting them thru to the next round.


The Aussie coach came out yesterday saying the little teams have been taking the brunt of the bad calls, cause FIFA's only interested in having the usual teams/countries get through. That's where most of their money comes from in the end.
Laerod
28-06-2006, 11:51
Which of these do you find was the worst injustice of the World Cup thus far?Ghana vs. Brazil. That option is missing up there.
Helioterra
28-06-2006, 11:53
äääh. nothing. forget.
Demented Hamsters
28-06-2006, 11:54
Ghana vs. Brazil. That option is missing up there.
How was that the worst injustice?
True, Brazil's 2nd goal shouldn't have been allowed, but that doesn't detract from the fact they scored two quality goals anyway and never gave Ghana much chance to score themselves.
Intangelon
28-06-2006, 11:56
The Aussie non-penalty was absolute tripe. The Socceroo defender DELIBERATELY froze on the ground in order to AVOID drawing a foul. He knew that once he was on the turf, he needed to be still to avoid suspicion and he did exactly that. The bleeding Italian simply flung himself to the ground. Notice how Totti took the PK? A bit of make-up from 2002, no?
Laerod
28-06-2006, 11:57
How was that the worst injustice?
True, Brazil's 2nd goal shouldn't have been allowed, but that doesn't detract from the fact they scored two quality goals anyway and never gave Ghana much chance to score themselves.Did we watch the same game? I find it unjust that the team that had a total of 6 shots on the goal, that played horribly for their reputation, and at most of the times was being pushed back by a team that had never been to the world cup before, won the game. Brazil was horribly disappointing. I seriously hope that France will beat them next game, and I don't entirely doubt that it will happen.
I V Stalin
28-06-2006, 12:03
It happens. The defender should hold his ground. They say the best defenders have clean shorts. ;)
It's because they can afford better washing powder.
Marvelland
28-06-2006, 12:09
Prob because Italy always does this in the World Cup. They are the masters.

I don't think you really watch football matches. In almost every one, I see acts like the one you are complaining about. It is true, however, that they are commonplace in our league; perhaps we are corrupting the whole world?

What Italy's criticizers fail to explain is: I am in the box, heading for the goal. If a defender dives on the ground on my way, without even trying to get the ball, am I bound to divert and avoid him, so being clearly damaged by that "original" style of defense and losing my opportunity, or should I go ahead and try to cash in a penalty? Seriously.

I am so tired of those eternal complains about Italy's way. We play defensively, yes.
If you can play better, do that, and defeat us without asking for "ad hoc" refereeing. We had a player out in the same match for what was obviously a yellow-card foul, and Italy's "reputation" is always a handicap in these competitions (mister Beckenbauer already said we "will pay" for our current scandal... which obviously has little to do with the few times Germany lost to Italy in WC...).
Intangelon
28-06-2006, 12:13
I don't think you really watch football matches. In almost every one, I see acts like the one you are complaining about. It is true, however, that they are commonplace in our league; perhaps we are corrupting the whole world?

What Italy's criticizers fail to explain is: I am in the box, heading for the goal. If a defender dives on the ground on my way, without even trying to get the ball, am I bound to divert and avoid him, so being clearly damaged by that "original" style of defense and losing my opportunity, or should I go ahead and try to cash in a penalty? Seriously.

I am so tired of those eternal complains about Italy's way. We play defensively, yes.
If you can play better, do that, and defeat us without asking for "ad hoc" refereeing. We had a player out in the same match for what was obviously a yellow-card foul, and Italy's "reputation" is always a handicap in these competitions (mister Beckenbauer already said we "will pay" for our current scandal... which obviously has little to do with the few times Germany lost to Italy in WC...).
Sorry, paisan, but your team's players are better divers than the cast of an Esther Williams film. I don't care if it's "your way" or even legitimate. It's bitchy, whiny and completely disingenuous. The worst part is when they roll around on the pitch and are suddenly cured by the "magic sponge" and instantly able to return to action. Basta!
Harlesburg
28-06-2006, 12:13
It isn't just one bad call against Australia, they have been hit by at least 1 per game.
BogMarsh
28-06-2006, 12:13
The refing destroys a number of games including the Dutch - Portugal game

That's what I voted, but I think it is more of a case of rotten luck.
Luck is immune to the yardstick of justice and injustice - luck merely is.
Helioterra
28-06-2006, 12:16
It isn't just one bad call against Australia, they have been hit by at least 1 per game.
heh, Japan's goal against Australia... :D
Philthealbino
28-06-2006, 12:27
How many yellow cards do you think there would have been if Graham Poll took the Holland-Portugal game?
Marvelland
28-06-2006, 12:31
The worst part is when they roll around on the pitch and are suddenly cured by the "magic sponge" and instantly able to return to action. Basta!

I agree: when I speak of defensive play this does not include falling on the ground like shot at the slightest touch. This is ugly and undefendable, and I have said this is a disgusting habit of ours.

But, again, it is only when we get a questionable penalty that a thread comes out about the "worst injustice" with (at least) 2 options for the same answer... :confused: And if Australia was to win the game, they could have scored while in power play for a bad call of the ref.

I maintain that the penalty was definitely questionable but not absurd, and the expression on the face of the falling player has nothing to do with that. When something like that happens, Italy's attitude is questioned, and not the refereeing. I have seen a lot of worse calls in this very WC.
Kradlumania
28-06-2006, 12:43
aren't options 1 and 4 the same? Shouldn't it be "Italy diving their way to the quarter finals against the Australians".

Worst injustice of the World Cup is having to hear Americans talk about "no calls", "shut outs" and "interference". If you don't know what you're talking about, shut up.
Helioterra
28-06-2006, 12:51
aren't options 1 and 4 the same? Shouldn't it be "Italy diving their way to the quarter finals against the Australians".

Worst injustice of the World Cup is having to hear Americans talk about "no calls", "shut outs" and "interference". If you don't know what you're talking about, shut up.
One could say that it wasn't a dive but still a bad call by ref. You don't get cards of every foul.
Meat and foamy mead
28-06-2006, 12:55
The worst injustice are all the dickheads on this board who bitch about the ref in the portugal-holland game. The ref was good and the players were fuckheads. Players who earn millions are expected to behave better than an adhd child on crack. Fucking amateurs.
Dreamy Creatures
28-06-2006, 13:02
If you have nothing to add, don't add anything.

He added something, so he had something to add in his opinion, which isn't yours. Now look who started to spam this thread...and don't blame me for continuing it. BTW, I myself DO lack an interest in this thread.:cool:
Demented Hamsters
28-06-2006, 15:26
How many yellow cards do you think there would have been if Graham Poll took the Holland-Portugal game?
in total, or per person?
Kradlumania
28-06-2006, 18:00
in total, or per person?

*lol* That's a good one!

The players in that game got what they deserved, in fact he should have sent off more.
New Granada
28-06-2006, 19:14
Cheating hair-pull by englands trained monkey "crouch" against Trinidad.
New Lofeta
28-06-2006, 19:28
The Thousands of women that have been smuggled in to serve as whores to the fans, usually against their will and the German Police being unable to do anything.

Apart from that, Northern Ireland not qualifying after beating England.
The Cathunters
28-06-2006, 21:24
I choose "Other"!

The elimination of Spain has made this Championship a grey and sad competition. Spain should have been qualified to quarters, then to show what Total Football means by kicking Brazil out.

But they opress us and don't let us to qualify!! AAARRMM!! :gundge:
German Nightmare
28-06-2006, 21:55
Every striker.

The thing is not "OMFZG!! He dived!11!!" 9/10 times the defender makes a challenge when the striker is 'looking' for a foul that results in the foul being given. Its not cheating- it's part of the game.

If the defender is stupid enough to manhandle, slide, studs high etc etc in the box- then the benefit of the doubt will be given to the striker, and penalty duly awarded.

It happens. The defender should hold his ground. They say the best defenders have clean shorts. ;)
What you said!

Except for the last, bold sentence. You left out the second half: "They say the best defenders have clean shorts - unless they play against Germany." Then they would be... soiled? :D

The worst injustice are all the dickheads on this board who bitch about the ref in the portugal-holland game. The ref was good and the players were fuckheads. Players who earn millions are expected to behave better than an adhd child on crack. Fucking amateurs.
You read my mind.
Those players are supposed to be professional football players. They have brought shame to their team and themselves once they started playing like that. Blame them, not the referee!
Water Cove
28-06-2006, 23:15
The refs where worth less than crap this year. I didn't enjoy the diving and theatrics. I heard that they where going to crack down on these things, but I haven't seen a worse football year. Take Ivory Coast/Netherlands. IC put up a decent game, but sometimes they went down just a little too easy. I'll say the Dutch where overenthusiastic about getting/taking the ball and easily ignored rules. But there was nothing that justified big, healthy, strong Ivorians suddenly falling down and weeping. However, this was just childs play compared to Portugal/Netherlands.

Once again the Dutch got blissfully ignorant of rules, but Portugal really went at it with a smear campaign. Pansies. They really played the bitch to Holland's bully. The second half was mostly spend with players rolling on the grass pretending they where injured. Then when one Dutchman gets fed up with the pathetic display and tries to ignore it all he gets a brutal attack from people who until recently couldn't even stand up straight just moments ago. It's no wonder the match got unruly. The ref just ate it all up.

Let them introduce replays and de-emphasize the role of the main referee. It's too easy for the match to become corrupted or baised. Italy's bribery in the past is one shining example. The other is how in the Euro Cup '04 the Dutch beat Sweden, then play a match with a Swede monitoring the whole thing. Some of these refs are not as concerned with the honour and prestige of maintaining an exciting and important match as the shady, dark side of football.