Question Number: 13219

Law 5 - The Referee 6/28/2006

RE: Rec Adult

Exit Smith , Master Sergeant of Camp Pendleton, Ca San Diego asks...

This question is a follow up to question 13098

After reading your responses to my question # 13098 I was a bit puzzled. Now after the recent article and comments on FIFA.com by the Secretary General Mr. Seth Blatter, it is obviously just not the commentators and I who think the referee's are lack luster at best.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Mr. Blather is entitled to his opinions, of which he has many and some of those are idiotic. He is famous to bending to the will of players and coaches at the expense of the referees. Before this World Cup the referees were asked to punish foul play. In past World Cups they were told to let things go. Now they are not only upholding the Laws Of The Game but doing what they were asked to do!! I was afraid Mr. Blather would butt in midway through the Cup. You can bet if fouls stop being called that FIFA insructed the referees to STOP doing their job or assingnments down the road would be in jeopardy. It would be nice just once to see Mr. Blather step up to the plate and defend the referees but that's not likely to happen.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Soccer is international big business. It has a bottom line that channels millions upon billions of dollars and provides Septic blowhards like Blatter a pulpit from which he apparantly answers to the changing fortunes of the countries that support this financial empire. Soccer was once a fun international body of universal goodwill, recently in SOME matches, it has the same feelings as the middle east conflict. I too would enjoy world peace and want life to be reasonably pain free. Blatters EGO and the effect he thinks he has on those who roll out the red carpets praying for some of that financial impact soccer can bring to nations. If the officiating is not good enough than lets REMOVE those in charge Of FIFA as they have FAILED to measure up in training and in preparing the officials THEY HAND SELECTED to be in charge!!!! Responsibility for conduct lies with ALL Participants in particular the PLAYERS and coaching staff who failure to PLAY FAIR is directly proportional to the attitudes of those who NEED to WIN at all costs.
Blaming a refere eis easy because there is no national pride in the individual as there is with the country's soccer team. The meddling influence of the dominant countries who are upset at their results can go fish or cut bait.
The Spain /France game was fouls aplenty but they were not jump in tackles with both feet or leg sycths at full speed as was the Dutch Portugal match. When players go to ground to slide tackle it is an admission the player with the ball has beaten them and only a reckless play on the ball is the last hope they have of stopping them. The two foot in and the tactical foul MUST be contained for the GOOD of the GAME!

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

I agree with my colleagues. The referees are doing what they were asked. It is great to see fouls being called, players being carded when deserving, and no jewlry. I think that this new approach has caught everyone off guard.