What a joke. America had a goal disallowed on a completely imaginary foul. Literally imaginary. There was no American player you could point to and say well maybe, possible, somehow that was a foul. In fact, there were numerous Slovenian fouls on the play. In addition to that, Howard let a goal in that he stops 95% of the time. The US outplayed Slovenia, scored more goals, and undoubtedly should have won.
Yes. A, B and C all beat D and draw among themselves.
I just came here to say, FUCKING BULLSHIT!
Worst hosing we ever took since 1972 Olympic Basketball. What in the fuck was that ref looking at?
Yep, he should have given a penalty if the ball hadn’t already been in the net. Offside(?) is a strange decision.
And you can all thank Sepp Blatter and FIFA for it.
He (and hence they) routinely block any chance of video replays as it “spoils the spirit of the game”.
See that crappy feeling you’ve got right now? That’s the spirit of the game, apparently.
Sure - three teams could finish on 1 win + 2 draws = 5 points. Then it’s down to goal difference.
Happened to Scotland in 1974, they were the team to lose out (to Brazil & Yugoslavia).
Bad luck USA, that was a great performance, deserved a win. What on earth was the ref thinking?
So if the US can beat Algeria by 2 goals they’re in regardless; with a 1-goal win they would need help.
(Specific scenarios, all assuming a US victory over Algeria by 1:
If Algeria somehow beats or draws with England today, the US is in regardless of how England/Slovenia plays out.
If, as is likely, England beats Algeria, then it will come down to the England/Slovenia game - a win by either and the US is in; a draw and it will come down to a random draw between the US and Slovenia (and England if they only win by 1 today))
So Finley is set to miss the next game due to that yellow, correct? Is it possible for that card to be reviewed and reversed after the game, as far as it applies to a suspension?
A referee’s decision stands, a video-replay would only help if he were unsure about a situation and decided to review it.
No, it cannot be reversed. He’s out. Because of a ball that clearly hit him in the face. My God, Thierry Henry all but catches the ball twice and there’s nothing, but a ball hits a guy in the face? Card him.:rolleyes:
I don’t think even video replays would have saved this one. The ref would only defer to the video ref if he was unsure about the decision, as it looked he made his mind up straight away and was convinced he was right so a video ref would have no chance to correct him. I look forward to hearing the contents of the ref’s match report, should be an impressive work of fiction.
There are all sorts of possibilities. An off-field ref could be allowed to bring something to the ref’s attention. Teams could be allowed a certain number of disputes (like in tennis). Maybe in this instance the ref would have “sent it upstairs” anyway.
There is no single way of utilising video replays. Blatter and FIFA reject all of them.
(come to think, my outline above isn’t quite right: goals scored is the first tiebreaker so it depends on how high-scoring the US/Algeria and England/Slovenia games would be, as well as the goal difference in US/Algeria).
Despite any felt or true injustice, I don’t want to see the game later decided by committees, lawyers and the most connected nations. Shudder.
I agree that an off-field ref is at least worth some consideration and a trial run in a league or two to determine his value.
The USA were definitely robbed by a shitty refereeing decision today. There were 3 US players being fouled in the penalty area, and the stupid fucker calls offside or some bullshit.
Still, I’m happy. This makes England’s job that tiny bit easier.
So, is there any way that both England and the US advance? Slovenia doesn’t deserve it after this, and not just for the preposterous referee decision. They played like goons the whole second half.
It’s always frustrating when the ref ends up affecting the result, but ranting won’t help. Refs, like the players, make mistakes. USA are still in a good position to qualify, they need to beat Algeria.
Was a good match by all accounts, and the little I saw of it.
Sure, if England win out and the US beats Algeria, then it finishes Eng 7, US 5, Slo 4.
If England win their last two games, and you lot beat Algeria is the simplest way. I’m sure there are others.