Italy/Korea ref under investigation

[SoccerScout]

I just heard during the Brazil Paraguay game today that a Japanese newspaper revealed recently that after the Equadorian ref that called the controversial italy / Korea game after the cup traveled to Miami where he flew first class, paid off many bills, bought a new luxary car and stayed at expensive hotels. This an indication that he would have been paid off by Korea to help out. He called off 2 Italian goals that day.

Anyone else hear about this?

[Claymore]

Would this be the same newspaper that said the same ref was killed shortly after the WC by the Italian mafia?

[Chachi King]

Ah, aged Italian whine.

Get over it. Totti was halfway through the dive before Song even touched him. Plus, Song got the ball first, I might add.

[eldiablito]

Are you over the Salt Lake City short-track speedskating thing?

Oh, ok then.

[pkCrouse]

Zing! That's gonna leave a mark. :)

[Chachi King]

Originally posted by eldiablito
Are you over the Salt Lake City short-track speedskating thing?

Oh, ok then.

Yeah, now i am, after we saved your asses.

[Alberto]

Originally posted by SoccerScout
I just heard during the Brazil Paraguay game today that a Japanese newspaper revealed recently that after the Equadorian ref that called the controversial italy / Korea game after the cup traveled to Miami where he flew first class, paid off many bills, bought a new luxury car and stayed at expensive hotels. This an indication that he would have been paid off by Korea to help out. He called off 2 Italian goals that day.

Anyone else hear about this?

This certainly would be big news. Just remember that FIFA does pay referees $50K for taking part in the tournament. How would they know if he had any debts? Seems like a lot of wild speculation.

[JoBeck]

Originally posted by Chachi King


Yeah, now i am, after we saved your asses.

You mean... after Portugal went down to nine men.

[Chachi King]

Originally posted by JoBeck


You mean... after Portugal went down to nine men.

Well, Korea was dominating that game even before they got the first player sent off. I can't see how anyone could debate the two sendings off. I'm sure the Koreans wanted to advance with the portuguese, as was the prevailing feeling in Korea at the time, don't know what the hell went on in their minds.

Portugal just mentally imploded that day.

[eldiablito]

Originally posted by Chachi King


Yeah, now i am, after we saved your asses.

So by your rationale, the Italians will "get over it" after they've bought the officials of some international sporting event. Keep waiting then.

[RushOnze]

Don't laugh this off, Fox Sports International is also reporting that he is under investigation, saying that he may have accepted a bribe or that he was approched by someone before the game. Basically, this story does have some legs.

[Chachi King]

Originally posted by RushOnze
Don't laugh this off, Fox Sports International is also reporting that he is under investigation, saying that he may have accepted a bribe or that he was approched by someone before the game. Basically, this story does have some legs.

If anyone knows ANYTHING about East Asian newspapers is that most of the crap they print out is bullshi+, designed to attract the most readers. There aren't any libel laws against false reporting or the lawsuit-culture that you have in the United States. Also, about Fox Sports International, it is very common for a media outlet like Fox Sports international to take its information from "primary sources" like this little Japanese newspaper and just change the wording to "possibly" and "allegedly."

Until I see more than one primary source, I won't be convinced.

[Greyhnd00]

Also heard today that a russian had been arrested for bribary in the olympic skating debacle.

[SoccerScout]

Now maybe you will take my original post seriously:

http://msn.espn.go.com/soccer/news/2002/0913/1431312.html