# FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [June 4, 2015, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-womens-world-cup-2015/721647 "2015-06-04T17:53:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![Haunted\_Pasta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/94ad74/32.png) [@Haunted\_Pasta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Haunted_Pasta)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-womens-world-cup-2015/721647/222 "2015-06-24T18:47:28Z")
> [@Tully\_Mars](#): > > Why are the noisemakers allowed in the stadium? Throughout the game, someone was blowing some sort of toneless horn. It was so loud, I had trouble hearing the commentary. It was so annoying that I finally turned the TV volume down to nearly mute. Is this common in soccer? ? I don’t think it’s common. At least, I haven’t noticed it much in the games that I’ve watched, with the notable exception of the Men’s World Cup five years ago. The stands were full of noisemakers called vuvuzelas, apparently some sort of traditional thing in South Africa (the host country), and they were horrendously obnoxious. FIFA banned them from the World Cup tournament in Brazil last year. > [@Tully\_Mars](#): > > I noticed some inconsistencies in the amount of contact required to earn a foul call. I didn’t think is was biased for one team or the other, but I couldn’t help but think of the recent FIFA scandals. Has there even been a hint that the corruption and bribery extended down to the level of the officials and influencing the outcome of a game? I’ve never heard of it and doubt it happens at any high level of competition. Possible, but doubtful- no cite, just my feeling. (To be fair, Italy’s top league endured a match-fixing scandal a few years ago, but I don’t think it involved referees.) The unfortunate thing is just that refereeing soccer is hard. The ref has to make an instantaneous judgment on the degree of contact, how much it interfered with the opposing player, whether it was intentional or avoidable, and often whether the player contacted the ball or the opposing player first. (Short of outright dangerous plays, if a defender makes contact with the ball first, it’s interpreted as a legitimate play, while contact with the player first is a foul.) Now, granted, that’s true of many other sports, too, but for soccer, you have to add onto these factors the (also subjective and instantaneous) advantage rule, wherein a foul can be ignored if the victimized team appears to be pressing ahead with an offensive opportunity that would be killed with a whistle, and the propensity of some players and teams to fake contact in hopes of drawing a foul (MUCH worse in the men’s game). Finally, unlike most other team field sports, there’s only that one official to blow the whistle, and the field is one of the largest of any sport- much of the time the ref is either a long way away or at a bad angle to see exactly what’s going on but still has to make those decisions anyway. “The officiating in that match was terrible”- such has been said of probably every single soccer game since the sport was invented. I’ve said it myself many times, and in truth there seems to be a larger-than-usual number of people saying it about the U.S.-Colombia game. But, well, it’s just a really tough job. ---
**Author:** ![duality72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duality72/32/3910_2.png) [@duality72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duality72)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-womens-world-cup-2015/721647/223 "2015-06-24T19:05:54Z")
> [@Haunted\_Pasta](#): > > …and the propensity of some players and teams to fake contact in hopes of drawing a foul (MUCH worse in the men’s game). What many forget, though, regarding faking contact, is that [many situations can still be fouls without contact](http://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/laws/football-11-11/law-12---fouls-and-misconduct.aspx): [ul] [li]kicks or attempts to kick an opponent[/li][li]trips or attempts to trip an opponent[/li][li]strikes or attempts to strike an opponent[/li][/ul] Simulation needs to punished when the referee can determine it happens, but the lack of contact does not necessarily mean there was not a foul. ---
**Author:** ![Tully\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7ab992/32.png) [@Tully\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tully_Mars)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-womens-world-cup-2015/721647/224 "2015-06-24T19:21:42Z")
Thanks for the explanation, **Haunted Pasta**. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-womens-world-cup-2015/721647/225 "2015-06-24T21:43:41Z")
With all the comments about opinions about fouls and especially the US vs Col game fouls & referee, I wonder: How many in this thread are or have been a referee of at least ‘State Two’ or higher ( or the equivalent of that level other than the US ) in an FIFA approved referee program? This would be one who does any level of armature adult games, semi- professional games, high school & college games. men or women in same, etc.? All levels of youth games from recreational to premier, etc. From the lack of comment about those players who can be seen to fake contact and so blatantly from the Colombians in the US vs Col game but not limited to that game and the level of consistency or sorta consistency of all the other referees in contrast to what the referee did in the US vs Col game justify their defense of that referee? All people have opinions which they are free to have, just as it should be. What needs to be known is the qualification of those giving them. I have known so many professional players that know less than 10% of the laws of the game. Most fans in general think soccer has rules when if fact, the game has only laws. How many of the laws do not start with, “In the opinion of the referee?” Those of us watching on TV have the advantage of multiple views, close ups, slow motion that the ref does not but so many of the calls are correct. Compare to the one or two outliers that we have seen in this tournament. Remember in the past men & women world cups the referees who never did another game in that tournament? As I see it right now, I think the final outcome will be 😕 Germany Japan or France (any given day ) China or Australia (any given day ) USA At the end of it all I will probably be :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-womens-world-cup-2015/721647/226 "2015-06-24T21:58:55Z")
> [@MaxTheVool](#): > > Japan just outclassed Netherlands in every aspect of the game… despite a comically terrible goalkeeping goof to make it 2-1 instead of 2-0. > > So our quarterfinals: > > Germany vs. France > USA vs. China > Australia vs. Japan > England vs. Canada > > Thoughts? Predictions? Comments? Germany, USA, Japan, Canada. Germany, Japan. Germany. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-womens-world-cup-2015/721647/227 "2015-06-24T22:08:21Z")
> [@GargoyleWB](#): > > Nah, she targeted the ball, not the player. It was her momentum from the slide, combined with the USA player who didn’t at all try to lift her plant foot and conveniently lingered on the ground to get tripped, that combined to a borderline call/no-call situation. I definitely acknowledge the controversy, I hear the goalie also declawed and circumcised her as well 😉 That was as clear of a foul as you’ll ever see. The only potential controversy at all is whether it was in the box, but there’s absolutely zero way that that’s not a foul at all. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-womens-world-cup-2015/721647/228 "2015-06-24T22:11:50Z")
> [@GusNSpot](#): > > With all the comments about opinions about fouls and especially the US vs Col game fouls & referee, I wonder: > > How many in this thread are or have been a referee of at least ‘State Two’ or higher ( or the equivalent of that level other than the US ) in an FIFA approved referee program? > > This would be one who does any level of armature adult games, semi- professional games, high school & college games. men or women in same, etc.? All levels of youth games from recreational to premier, etc. > > From the lack of comment about those players who can be seen to fake contact and so blatantly from the Colombians in the US vs Col game but not limited to that game and the level of consistency or sorta consistency of all the other referees in contrast to what the referee did in the US vs Col game justify their defense of that referee? > > All people have opinions which they are free to have, just as it should be. What needs to be known is the qualification of those giving them. > > I have known so many professional players that know less than 10% of the laws of the game. > > Most fans in general think soccer has rules when if fact, the game has only laws. > > How many of the laws do not start with, “In the opinion of the referee?” > > Those of us watching on TV have the advantage of multiple views, close ups, slow motion that the ref does not but so many of the calls are correct. Compare to the one or two outliers that we have seen in this tournament. > > … I would compare this game to the Brazil/Australia game, where the ref just wasn’t fooled by the diving Brazilians. So, I’m comparing two refs at the same level. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-womens-world-cup-2015/721647/229 "2015-06-24T23:03:36Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > … diving Brazilians… Dibs on the band name. Or … ---
**Author:** ![Laggard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2015, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-womens-world-cup-2015/721647/230 "2015-06-25T02:39:03Z")
It was a foul but I think 9 out of 10 times that one would have been called as being outside of the penalty area. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2015, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-womens-world-cup-2015/721647/231 "2015-06-25T03:07:12Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > She probably should. You can talk about how you didn’t agree on calls or that refs couldn’t tell dives from actual fouls, but to assert some sort of planned conspiracy or bias (for which I see absolutely no evidence, FWIW) is beyond the pale and goes to the questioning the entirely legitimacy of the tourney - players have been suspended for less. Hey, it’s FIFA. If we eventually learn that there were instructions to the ref to try and influence a match it wouldn’t surprise me in the least. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2015, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-womens-world-cup-2015/721647/232 "2015-06-25T07:07:25Z")
> [@GargoyleWB](#): > > Nah, she targeted the ball, not the player. Doesn’t matter. She missed her target. Foul all the way. ---
**Author:** ![Laggard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2015, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-womens-world-cup-2015/721647/233 "2015-06-25T12:24:50Z")
> [@Yookeroo](#): > > Doesn’t matter. She missed her target. Foul all the way. Yeah, there is this misunderstanding that if it’s not intentional then it can’t be a foul. The wife even said that the other day: “But she didn’t mean to do it.” Doesn’t matter. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2015, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-womens-world-cup-2015/721647/234 "2015-06-25T19:46:59Z")
Yeah, odd notion. What percentage of fouls are intentional? 5%? ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2015, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-womens-world-cup-2015/721647/235 "2015-06-26T20:40:25Z")
France vs. Germany is wall to wall action so far. France have had the run of play but it’s still 0-0. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2015, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-womens-world-cup-2015/721647/236 "2015-06-26T20:48:15Z")
It’s been a terrific match, and I’d say Germany are fortunate to be level. France have looked the stronger and more dangerous side, overall. “No shortage of good football…” indeed! ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2015, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-womens-world-cup-2015/721647/237 "2015-06-26T21:20:56Z")
After a dozen amazing chances, France gets one in off a poor clearance and a lucky deflection. France up 1-0. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2015, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-womens-world-cup-2015/721647/238 "2015-06-26T21:22:09Z")
France have broken through, deservedly so, in the 64th minute. Terrific match, this! ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2015, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-womens-world-cup-2015/721647/239 "2015-06-26T21:40:16Z")
PK for Germany due to a handball in the box! Germany have never missed a PK in the World Cup… And… 1-1!!! I hope France pull this out, they clearly deserve it. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2015, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-womens-world-cup-2015/721647/240 "2015-06-26T21:42:29Z")
> [@MaxTheVool](#): > > I hope France pull this out, they clearly deserve it. Agreed. That penalty seemed unavoidable to me―ball to hand―but so it is. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2015, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-womens-world-cup-2015/721647/241 "2015-06-26T22:18:12Z")
I haven’t been able to watch the game, but has the ref been as bad as a live thread is claiming? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-womens-world-cup-2015/721647.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fifa-womens-world-cup-2015/721647.md?page=13)