Zidane Red Card Discussion Thread

[jacoismyhero]

It's most certainly going to be the talk around town, and it's very disheartening to see such a classy player perform such a classless act... I thought that the referee crew handled things very well, and I can't really make any complaints about it, although I'm sure Mr. Blatter will have something to say. Even Marcello Balboa praised the referees about their performance of not only this call, but the whole game. Does anyone differ in opinion from me? Agree/Disagree? Discuss.

[david58]

Zidane deserved his exit.

However, if the fourth or AR saw it first on the replay, should they have sent him off?

[blech]

let me first say as a longtime fan of Zidane, I am very, very disappointed.

that said, whether seen on the replay or not, the red card was technically improper. the incident occurred as the players were coming out of the area. meanwhile Italy was on a counter. del piero stumbled, fell on the ball, and a handball was called on him. France placed the ball down and took the freekick. the ref then saw the Italian player down and stopped play. (this sequence is confirmed by the fact that play was eventually restarted with a drop ball). having stopped play and then restarted it, the ref could not go back and give the red card. period.

ps - i don't think the 4th saw it until it was on the replay. if he did, why weren't they talking on the headset immediately? why was play stopped for the injured player, only then to be followed by a conference?

don't get me wrong. the play was atrocious, and Zidane could not have believed it wouldn't be picked up by the cameras in this day and age. i'd like to have a replay of the conversation that sent him off, but there can be no excuse. but the refs didn't act timely and the red card as it happened was not in conformity with the laws.

[B Rock]

It's most certainly going to be the talk around town, and it's very disheartening to see such a classy player perform such a classless act... I thought that the referee crew handled things very well, and I can't really make any complaints about it, although I'm sure Mr. Blatter will have something to say. Even Marcello Balboa praised the referees about their performance of not only this call, but the whole game. Does anyone differ in opinion from me? Agree/Disagree? Discuss.

Zidane clearly deserved to be sent off.

But clearly neither of the officials saw the incident in real time and instead relied on the stadium replay to make the correct call issuing the red card. There is no possible way there would be any time taken to make that call if it had been seen in real time.

The question is was it worth disobeying the clear FIFA regulations preventing the use of video replay to get the call right?

For that matter should video have been used to get the penalty on Malouda right in the 2nd half?

The lack of consistency is quite frankly unacceptable. Clearly things will be missed in the run of play, but what makes it ok to refer to video replay for one event and not for another?

[jacoismyhero]

That was a discussion by the two announcers... They were mad that the Jumbotron directors were showing a replay of that play to the stadium when they weren't sure if the referees saw it. The way that the AR behaved, not making any major movement to get the referee's attention... it almost looked like he didn't see it until after they started replaying it.

Edit- I guess the two before me made that clear, so my post is a little behind the times... :p

[fidlerre]

Zidane deserved his exit.

Agreed.

However, if the fourth or AR saw it first on the replay, should they have sent him off?

Nope. They are not allowed to use replays to help them.

Frankly, it should have never been shown on the screen in the stadium.

[MasterShake29]

don't get me wrong. the play was atrocious, and Zidane could not have believed it wouldn't be picked up by the cameras in this day and age. i'd like to have a replay of the conversation that sent him off, but there can be no excuse. but the refs didn't act timely and the red card as it happened was not in conformity with the laws.

Interesting point.

However, let's say my team is about to take a free kick. Just before we take it, I go and slug someone. If the ref doesn't blow the whistle or see the assistant's flag before my guy strikes the ball, I can't be sent off?

That doesn't seem right.

[jacoismyhero]

Interesting point.

However, let's say my team is about to take a free kick. Just before we take it, I go and slug someone. If the ref doesn't blow the whistle or see the assistant's flag before my guy strikes the ball, I can't be sent off?

That doesn't seem right.

Agreed... who is to say that a player can't be dealt with just because it wasn't timely? The situation that occured during/after this play didn't look as though it could've been easily or promptly dealt with even if the referees did clearly see the paly.

[jose\/erde]

The question is was it worth disobeying the clear FIFA regulations preventing the use of video replay to get the call right?


Yes.

[B Rock]

Yes.

Thats a dangerous answer. So where exactly do you draw those lines? Only for violent conduct?

[YNWAYNWA]

truly a bizarre turn of events -- IIRC Buffon went over and gave the ass't ref an earful when it was clear that Zidane was not going to be carded

but wait . . .

very odd indeed

[jose\/erde]

Thats a dangerous answer. So where exactly do you draw those lines? Only for violent conduct?

When it's to make the correct call.

[Wreave]

I'm very interested in the technical point of this. Had play restarted? If so, can the red card still be given?

[fidlerre]

When it's to make the correct call.
So should they have reviewed the tackle in the box in the second half?

Plain and simple, it's against the rules right now and therefore it should not be used.

[superdave]

Even Marcello Balboa praised the referees about their performance of not only this call, but the whole game.
Because one referee can't police the whole field, the ref totally blew what should have been a PK for France.

Also, I'm not sure the guy who scored for Italy on the free kick was offside. Another guy next to him was offside, but I think the goalscorer was even. Of course, that was the AR not Eliziondo.

[B Rock]

When it's to make the correct call.

So for missed penalty kicks? How about the Malouda example in the 2nd half with Zambrotta clearly got no ball and all man?

I fear you're looking at this rather short sighted.

[jacoismyhero]

Play was stopped shortly after for a handling call I think... Then the referee tended to the injured player from Zidane's headbutt, then shortly thereafter he met with the AR and they ejected him.

[Laggard]

I'm very interested in the technical point of this. Had play restarted? If so, can the red card still be given?

Why couldn't it? Violent conduct is violent conduct. Doesn't matter if the ball is in play.

[jacoismyhero]

Why couldn't it? Violent conduct is violent conduct. Doesn't matter if the ball is in play.

Exactly... If justice needs to be served, why do people think that since he got away from the play without a card, it wouldn't eventually come?

[Laggard]

Because one referee can't police the whole field, the ref totally blew what should have been a PK for France.


In my opinion, the call that lead to France's free kick was doubtfull.