Ok, I know I posted this very same err.. post yesterday, but then the powers that be in their infinite wisdom decided to undo everything without letting the vast majority of people know... but anyway... Just felt the need to post here (not usually a stomping ground of mine) to declare my total and utter amazement of the game I watched this evening on Eurosport. What a disgrace. This game had it all. Teams that had little or no respect for authority. The referee's decisions were argued with constantly. Whether one feels agrieved with a decision is besides the point - just get on with the game. Linesmen that definitely needed eye checks soon. Players pulling, grabbing, tackling with the grace and ability of a tank. Moving the ball forward constantly when a free-kick is given, even when the referee or other officials have told them not to and replaced the ball where the original infringement was made (again flagrant disregard for authority). Defending walls not back the required distance at free-kicks, when they are moved back, immediately moved forward again -IN FULL VIEW OF THE REF. Consequently the ref gets bored with having to tell the players for the 12th time to move back, and so they get away with it. Players raising hands in others faces. Players falling over at the merest hint of contact. I know this happens in SA and in Italy etc but not to this extent. Trying to get the foul is bad enough but then also gesticulating to the referee to give the offending player a card of some colour. Nothing leaves a worse taste in my mouth than fellow professionals trying to get one another sent off. It's blatant cheating. "I can't beat the team/player through skill, so I'll fall over and get them down to 10 men" - attrocious. Obviously the fake injuries that took hold from mid-way through the second half. They got ridiculous, two minutes writhing about in pain, only for that damn golf buggy to come on and for them to get up. I don't know about you but if I'm in real pain, I don't jump around or roll around on the floor. Other coaches and team members on the sidelines coming onto the pitch at the merest thing, thereby wasting yet more time. Oh yes and that wonderful handball goal that just was the proverbial icing on the cake. If the African continent wanted to show the world its' football and maybe help any WC bid - then I hope for their sake that I was the only person in the world watching the match. I could sum the match up in 2 words - fvcking pathetic.