This is a review of some of the most controversial calls ever made in international soccer at World Cups, Champions League and other high level matches. A serious case can be made for the integration of video replays in the world soccer officiating process. For video footage of these case studies please visit http://prosoccertactics.com
2. The Nature of the Problem...
• each official on the field has severely limited perception (two eyes, two ears)
• officials are frequently in the wrong position to make clear calls (obstructed, the ball is
passed and shot rapidly across the field)
• The speed of play is simply too fast for the human eye to make fair judgments
• there is too much responsibility allocated to essentially one individual on the field –
no one person should have so much authority – much better to have a panel committee
of judges
It’s not the refs’ fault, it’s the system!
3. A Brief and Incomplete History of Some Very Controversial Calls
• 1966 World Cup Final England Germany at Wembley – did Geoff Hurst’s goal cross the
goal line? Was the 4th goal legitimate?
• 1974 Gerd Mueller actually scored 2 goals vs Holland, not just 1
• 2010 quarter-finals Germany vs. England – Lampard’s goal vs. Neuer denied (2:2?)
• Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” goal against England 1986
• Ghana vs. Uruguay in South Africa 2010 – Suarez send-off follows clear offside by
Ghanaian forward
• Thierry Henry’s handball not called in WC qualifier vs Rep. of Ireland – Ireland misses
WC – France’s offer to replay the match denied by FIFA – why?
• Champions League 2011 – Van Persie double yellow send-off for no legitimate reason,
plus highly questionable penalty decision for Barcelona to seal Arsenal’s fate
• Champions League 2011 – Pepe’s stomp over the ball vs Dani Alves generates red card
• and the list goes on and on...
6. Summary
We saw a brief review of some of the most controversial plays from an officiating
standpoint:
• 2 goal line decisions, 2 offsides, 2 egregious handball goals, 2 controversial red cards, and
a failure to ensure the safety of the players by one of the most revered FIFA officials.
•We covered a span of time from 1966-2010, a period of 45 years – one would think that
over this time period, FIFA would have the smarts to incorporate technology into the game
(much like the NHL, the NFL, cricket and tennis) in order to make the officiating more just
and objective – more fair for the players as well as the fans.
•A each major tournament goes by, more and more egregious and painfully heartbreaking
decisions will be made. The questions is not if, but when, and how many more of these
injustices should or can we as players, fans and coaches take?
• I challenge the players and sponsors (tv advertisers) as well as the media broadcaters and
team owners to take a stand and insist on doing the right thing. Insist on the incorporation
of video review technology, else we risk the reputation of this beautiful game being
lampooned and ridiculed. This would be the greatest injustice considering all the hard
work that players, coaches and parents invest in developing skills and learning the game.
• I welcome your comments, feedback and input on this controversial subject.
