FIFA recently released the final list of referees for the 2010 World Cup. The referees from North and Central America are from EL Salvador, Mexico, and Guatemala. That’s right. No referees from the the United States. Sad, but not too surprising considering Major League Soccer (MLS) referees don’t have the best reputation, even within MLS.
The U.S. Soccer Federation is understandably disappointed, but has stated that it will just keep plugging away to improve the standard of refereeing in MLS. A recent Soccerlens article details several steps that the Federation is taking to improve refereeing standards. Some of the steps are clearly a move in the right direction. But others might answer your questions about why certain players seem to be penalized more than others and may aggravate fans who already think that the fix is in.
“The week before the match, the designated officiating squad of referee[s], two [assistant referees], and the fourth official research the players and game background under the supervision of an inspector. The officiating team meets at the stadium the day before to discuss the skilled players, the problem players, the match-ups, the coaching philosophies, the consequences of the game, and then they map out a strategy.”
Hmm. So in case any of this was previously unclear, referees are incredibly influential in determining match outcomes. Referees are encouraged to pre-determine how they will manage matches depending on the skilled players on the field, perceived problem players, consequences of the game, etc. I have no problem with referees preparing for the match they are about to officiate. However, the part about referees developing strategies to officiate matches makes my nose itch. For those who think that leagues already have an agenda to promote some teams over others, the concept of pre-determined refereeing strategies that could benefit one team’s playing style over another is problematic.
Referees should have one job, to officiate the match according to the rules of the game. The aforementioned steps, however, suggest that MLS referees must also consider the public image of the league and its skilled players when deciding whether to call a foul. That’s a problem. Too many fans already believe that there is an agenda based on the actions of match officials. We need to learn more about the parameters that shape officiating. I’d like to know what the difference is between match strategies and match fixing. That way, next time I hear someone say, “this game is fixed,” I can reassure them by saying, “no, it’s just a refereeing strategy.”
I really wonder what the standard of the officiating in El Salvador is like?! However, I know of a lot bad refs going to the world cup! The shortlist nevertheless includes several referees at the centre of contentious incidents in recent years, including Swedish ref Martin Hansson, who missed the handball that allowed France to qualify for the World Cup, and Norwegian Tom Ovrebo, who received death threats after turning down a raft of legitimate-looking penalty appeals against Chelsea in last season’s Champions League semi-final tie against Barcelona.
Swiss referee Massimo Busacca, suspended last year after giving a two-fingered salute to supporters chanting verbal abuse, is also on the shortlist as is Englishman Howard Webb, who changed his mind on a penalty decision during last year’s Confederations Cup. Along with several mistakes in the past 16 months and even last week blatant handball by Cesc Fabregas against Liverpool and he ignores it….
In 2006, referees were accused of being pernickety and ruining the tournament with several bizarre decisions, not least Englishman Graham Poll giving one player three yellow cards in a single match.
Lets just hope they sort this out before this summer’s tournament. But then again with Blatter and Warner incharge, don’t hold your breath!
Yep. The list is a who’s who of refs with un-notable performances. But really, what ref who actively handles major matches don’t make mistakes? Some mistakes are understandable, especially if advanced technology is not incorporated into the game. But some, not so much. Graham Poll was consistent enough to be given big matches … but three yellows is nothing to be proud of.
Incorrect decisions are a problem. But my point is that refs letting calls go in one game and not in another based on the skilled players involved or the consequences of the game suggest yet another dangerous precedent in allowing external forces (refs) to determine the outcome of a game.
Hopefully the MLS will continue to make inroads and get some of their officials some international recognition at future World Cup tournaments. Much like the players in the league, the officiating must be given time to develop and get better as time passes.
Clive, end of the day it is beneficial for FIFA to keep the likes of Brazil, Italy and Germany in the tournament for as long as possible, hence some “refs” are rewarded with opportunity to officiate big games simply because they have done their job by following orders sent from Blatter and co…. Off the top of my head…. Australia getting robbed against Italy and suprise surprise Italy went on to win the competition…. and then there was the Brazil-Belgium fiasco in South Korea….
Great point TJ! It will take time… I have seen some excellent MLS refs over the past decade….
I hate to cite the non-goal by the Dynamo v the Galaxy in last year’s MLS Western Conference final as an example, nullified by a phantom foul on the corner kick, but…yeah.
cfig – That was one of those times where you think … that was convenient. I don’t want to be a conspiracy theorist, but sometimes you just wonder.