Why were no UnitedStates referees selected to work World Cup Games?
451625
actually it is sad, the ref we had in the last wc got a quarter final and did well, its baffling, especially being ranked 5 in the world..
1053396
I think the officiating in the world cup has made the world cup almost unbearable.\n\nThere are an insane amount of cards being handed out, which completely slows down the game. Its bad enough that a lot of the refs play favourites. \n\nThese refs are ruining the game of soccer (both physically and prestige wise). Get them out of there!
1054672
Simple. USA's status has been over-rated for a few years. Last World Cup, the players from the bigger domestic leagues suffered as they had less of a break compared to players from countries such as USA and South Korea (I commend these countries for being smart enough to realise this). This has been rectified this time, with FIFA imposing a compulsory break for all major leagues.\n\nNot to discount their effort 4 years ago completely, as they did play well and they did beat Portugal and Mexico (both top teams). I believe they also peaked during that tournament, and good players such as Brad Friedel, have since retired.\n\nFurthermore, they played one of the best teams in the world. Czech Republic is ranked 2 in the world (although I do not agree entirely with the ranking system) and they are, in my opinion, favourites to win the group ahead of Italy.\n\nI feel, to be a good team, USA should have more of their players play in the top European leagues, where you have a better consistant competition, better coaching (although Bruce Arena is good, some of the Major League coaches aren't) and players are constantly challenged for their places in the team.\n\nIf you look at the Czech Republic, they have players playing for top clubs in:\nEngland\nHolland\nRussia\nItaly\nGermany\nFrance\nAustria\nCzech Republic, and,\nTurkey.\n\nMeanwhile, USA has more then 1/2 their team playing in the domestic leagues, with the remaining playing for mediocre Engllish or German clubs.\n\nHope you appreciate that I am being honest rather then diplomatic.
1121404
Already, there is a referee, 2 linesmen, fourth official and at this years world cup, a fifth official, should anything happen to the rest.\n\nUnlike NFL, football doesnt stop every minute or two, so video wouldnt work: wit would be yet another excuse for timewasting and cheating.  \n\nThe current system isnt, and never will be perfect, but i do think the other officials should have more of a say if they see an incident another doesnt.  At the world cup they have earpieces and mics and this should be the way forward.  Yes, video replays can help spot things the eye cant, but we dont want to lose the flow of the game. \n\nSo as far as im concerned, they have sufficient officials on the park at all times already.
1122364
True that,they are human. But this is a world class international tournament and requires and deserves world class performances. They are paid an obscene amount of money to do a job. If we regular folk were to perform our jobs with crucial mistakes as they have we would not have a job to return to. The highest standards are expected from our players and this can't happen without the referee's doing the same.
1034891
They can be from the same country.\n\nBut the referees cant be from the countries playing, or other countries in the same stage group, or country that they would fight in the next match if they win, or neighbourhood country, or issue country's(Irak-USA, and other conflict areas)\n\nIn this would cup, I have seen a lot of referees from countries that didn't qualify. That would be more fear.
1112113
Ah, there was some confusion in the translation of the memo the refs got before the WC started and it was too late to switch.\n\nThe original memo said the referees in the world cup need to dress mannequins.
1186076
In my opinion, FIFA has made it clear that all refs must convert to "their" style of officiating, by calling penalities on anything and everything, even if not "seen", but sold, ala Italy and their amazing ability to lay on the ground like fish or whores in heat. \n\nBy calling for more fouls right before the World Cup, FIFA is creating a nightmare by taking refs themselves out of their normal calling game, in lieu of "FIFA's wants and needs". Its a shame - but hey - considering they won't render a decision of Italian bribes, fraud, etc of players , coaches and Italian refs until AFTER  the World Cup - we clearly know their intent and favorites. \n\nThen there are Lorrando officials - who are just so horrible and a joke - that the only explanation is FIFA are corrupt scumbags who are selecting corrupt, scumbag refs. Lorrando was removed from the 2002 World Cup, after his own countries (Uruguay) suspended himn for "inconsistencies" in over 4 international matches and bribes. \nFor any FIFA apologist - expalin how and why FIFA selected a ref who has already been found to be a liar, a crook and a man with zero intergrity and respect for the sport. There are hundreds of qualified refs in the world - why "reselect" a known violator and coward?
1067900
I think they do in a bottom line situation. Many of the favoured teams have started slowly or been a little disappointing. Who really knows how that match would have gone or played out if they had a better referee. He truly was terribly inconsistent today and effected the game greatly. I think he had both teams in fear by half time and that must have had an effect in how they played their game. I think the coach needs to find better combinations on the field. Totti, Del Piero and others have played together in previous world cups but are hardly ever on the field together to lead with experience. Del Piero was in place to score on many occasions, however the ball didn't get to him all that often.
1126621
I think the problem is FIFA, who give so many directives before such a major tournament, it confuses the referees... FIFA should say "you are here because you are the best referees in the world, keep doing what you're doing."
1144239
The ref was horrible and completly ruined the game for the U.S. The red card for the US players was unfair, I have seen worse not get carded.
614776
The didnt qualify for this world cup!!!!
1074481
Ok maybe not during the whole world cup.. but ya some referees are crazy LOSERS and should be fired! Notably for the Portugal-Netherlands game or even the Italy and USA... they need to change the system! Maybe there should be 2 refs??? I don't know, but it's just not working!!!
988220
1.A lot of time is needed for the host country to prepare for the world cup\n2.It takes about a year for qualification procedures (to decide who will be in the world cup)\n3.F.I.F.A. does not want the world cup to clash with continental championschips (European championship,Copa Aemrica etc.)\n4.F.I.F.A. does not want the world cup to clash with the olympics\n5.If the world cup was played too often the excitement and novelty would be taken out of the tournament\n6.There many more reasons but I could be typing all night!!!
1084059
I agree that was a bad referee performance.  He did not call an obvious handball, that would have ment a penalty kick for Korea.  On top of that he allowed Switzerland's second goal, even though the lineman raised the flag indicating off-side.  I believe in fair play and equal conditions for every team.  Fifa has a history of favoring teams like Brazil.  They got the easiest group and a schedule to avoid such teams as holland, germany or argentina until the final instances of the tournament.  One more thing, fifa's president is a Swiss national...
1109210
Because of all the problems that seem to show up during the World Cup, (racisim, fights between fans and players of different nations, etc) FIFA told the refs to judge more harshly. Unfortunately, they've taken it too far.
1120654
Nothing is what it seams. I think that there is corruption everywhere. There was trouble over tickets, someone from FIFA was sacked/asked to leave because they was selling tickets 2 or 3 times face value.\n\nBut as for match fixing, i think is almost impossible. \n\nBut hey who's knows in this freaking world.