Did something change between Rd of 16 and Quarters?

[Ref Flunkie]

I watched all 4 quarterfinals. In all of them, the referees have seemed to be less card happy and talking to players more to try and man manage them. They also let some of the trifiling "ball stealing" pass without a caution. This seems directly against what was happening in the first rounds. These referees were doing the same thing during those matches, but they've seemed to have changed their style mid-tournament. Anyone else notice this? Do we think there was a meeting of the minds (FIFA Referee Committee) that said "Ok guys, we've gone too far on the card giving, try to back it off a bit". Or is it my imagination?

[lotharis1]

I watched all 4 quarterfinals. In all of them, the referees have seemed to be less card happy and talking to players more to try and man manage them. They also let some of the trifiling "ball stealing" pass without a caution. This seems directly against what was happening in the first rounds. These referees were doing the same thing during those matches, but they've seemed to have changed their style mid-tournament. Anyone else notice this? Do we think there was a meeting of the minds (FIFA Referee Committee) that said "Ok guys, we've gone too far on the card giving, try to back it off a bit". Or is it my imagination?

oh somethign definitely has changed... you can see it...

and you wonder how different this world cup would have been had it been called this way all along...

[KMJvet]

Refs figured out FIFA didn't really want the game called the way they said they did beforehand.

[rufus55]

Refs figured out FIFA didn't really want the game called the way they said they did beforehand.

One could argue that the better officials were working the matches and therefore the standard of officiating would naturally improve.

That said, I think you are absolutely right. FIFA made a mess by giving instructions on how they wanted the game called without giving anyone, referees included, enough time to adjust to FIFA's wishes. But apparently the one thing all the officials seemed to believe is that FIFA wanted more cards handed out.

I think the head of officiating for FIFA saying the officiating mess wasn't the referee's fault was a shot across the bow of Blatter and let him know that he and his cronies were responsible. It really does look like someone told the referees to tone it down and go back to officiating the way they normally would. It made for much better games today.

Too bad it was too late for the US. I wonder what would have happened if that bogus PK hadn't been called for Ghana? Brazil was vulnerable, obviously. Then again, Arena probably would have been too scared to play, and come up with a 7-2-1 formation.

[Kerry]

One could argue that the better officials were working the matches and therefore the standard of officiating would naturally improve.

That said, I think you are absolutely right. FIFA made a mess by giving instructions on how they wanted the game called without giving anyone, referees included, enough time to adjust to FIFA's wishes. But apparently the one thing all the officials seemed to believe is that FIFA wanted more cards handed out.

I think the head of officiating for FIFA saying the officiating mess wasn't the referee's fault was a shot across the bow of Blatter and let him know that he and his cronies were responsible. It really does look like someone told the referees to tone it down and go back to officiating the way they normally would. It made for much better games today.

Too bad it was too late for the US. I wonder what would have happened if that bogus PK hadn't been called for Ghana? Brazil was vulnerable, obviously. Then again, Arena probably would have been too scared to play, and come up with a 7-2-1 formation.




You can't blame the refs. They were told to tighten the game up, and I think it worked. The Portugal v Holland game also sent a message to the players and I think they responded with pretty clean games.

In the P v H fiasco, the center ref never had a chance to tell players to lighten up. It was headhunting right from the start.

After 8 to 10 cards you would have thought the players would get the message.

The refs in the quartefinals were able to give a few warnings before anyone got carded.

Again the players are the ones out of control, not the refs.

[1.1atmosphere]

Yes something did change.

Beckenbauer complained loudly as to the numerous yellow cards handed for minor infractions but placed no blame on the refs. His statement was clearly directed at the FIFA who responded by revising their instructions to the refs.

As for Sepp Blatter who doesn't take public criticism lightly, he was quick to assign the blame to the refs.

Just the kind of boss you want to be working for. He throws you in front of the buss to make himself look good.

Sepp has surely something reserved for the Kaiser as well.

[NHRef]

I think both "sides" adjusted. The refs seem to still be calling things, and carding, though slightly less agressively with the cards, talking first.

The players also seem to have adjusted, you can see many of them pull out of almost, but not 50-50 challenges, and come in less from behind.

There's more on the line now for the players, before it was just making it out of the group play, now its more and more visible and a stupid foul will be more and more noticable and remebered.

[Wreave]

Watching the semifinal yesterday, it was clearly called differently than the group games. We can only guess as to the impetus, but I'd like to think it was from the referees themselves: "OK guys, this is our last game in this World Cup. You want to call it by the book, or do you want to do it right?"

I would like to have seen a yellow or two for diving, but overall this was an extremely well-managed game.

[celito]

Watching the semifinal yesterday, it was clearly called differently than the group games. We can only guess as to the impetus, but I'd like to think it was from the referees themselves: "OK guys, this is our last game in this World Cup. You want to call it by the book, or do you want to do it right?"

I would like to have seen a yellow or two for diving, but overall this was an extremely well-managed game.

Exactly. What would a Final be without some major players ? It's not in FIFA's best interest. There were some fouls and dives in the France x Portugal game that deserved yellow cards. The same goes for ITA x GER game.

This WC has been clearly divided into two distinct competitions. Pre and Post Portugal x Netherlands game.

But every WC is always somehow tainted. So this is really no different.

[Val1]

The problem with the cards is how quickly the first ones came out. How many times did we see cards given in the first 10 minutes of play? I'm all for tightening the play, but cards without having made a warning first was over the top and that made the referees the story. And when the officials are the story, you know we're on the wrong track...