Question Number: 13345

Character, Attitude and Control 7/15/2006

RE: rec High School

ralphshelley of huntington, ny usa asks...

I thought the criticism of ref Ivanov in the Port vs Netherlands match was unfair?
I think he was put in a no win situation by player conduct and FIFA instructions.
A ref has the power to nuke a team right out of the World Cup and even when justified he becomes the goat? If 22 plauers want to act out its hard to keep
control when sendoffs become pivotal to
positive outcomes!

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Ralph,
not only was it unfair it was a PATHETIC response by Septic Blattering! It was a game marred by the unwillingness of certain players to play fair. The MAJOR difference in my opinion in what I will respectfully disagree with Mr Ivanov decisions was in not DIRECT red carding about 5 incidents that were either missed or only cautioned. I felt he tried too hard to keep players on the field that SIMPLY did not deserve to be there. It is easy to say I would have done things different from the comfort of an arm chair and TV monitor but in match conditions the referee sets the bar and the players adapt or we witness what we witnessed! Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Howzit Ralph. Good to hear from you again. I agree, when players come to muck about we need to step in and step in hard. We all have times when we wish we did that, you know after one of those matches...

Regards,