Soccer Credibility

[Dave in Green]

This probably belongs in off topic. But I think it's mainly of interest to soccer fans, so I'm going to post it here. I'm trying to develop an appreciation for soccer, especially since the Zips program is so good. But when I see something like I've just watched in the video linked to below, I am in total shock that the "world's number one sport" can allow something like this to stand when there is crystal clear video of the incident available.

People criticize NASCAR for being a sham, but at least NASCAR went back and corrected a similar situation from this weekend's race where a team had one of their cars deliberately spin out to bring out a caution to allow a teammate to qualify for the championship chase. Apparently soccer does not have a mechanism for correcting obvious cheats. This lessens my enthusiasm for soccer. I'd really like to have the soccer experts on here view the video at the 5:40 mark and talk about how you can tolerate BS like this at the highest level of the sport.

Pathetic dive gets Team USA soccer player suspended (video)

[Captain Kangaroo]

I blame the USA player. He should have kicked the guy's head and given him something to writhe about.

[w00t]

It won't be the last match Campbell plays against the USA... let's just hope the team remembers this incident next time around and that Joel learns what a real foul is.

[fknbuflobo]

All sports contain the dastardly practice of deceiving officials. The problem is not unique to futbol. I can easily cite numerous examples, in all the sports with which I am familiar. It must be cleaned up in all sports.

With such incontrovertible video evidence, FIFA should take disciplinary action against Joel Campbell and also against the officiating crew. History strongly suggests no action will be taken by FIFA, and that Matt Besler’s yellow card accumulation suspension will stand. This will definitely hurt the USMNT tonight vs. Mexico.

There are many discussing this particularly egregious flouting of the rules. FIFA is the most retrograde and inflexible athletic governing body the world has ever spawned. The NCAA are circus clowns compared to these crooks. Flail away as you like…..

http://www.bigsoccer.com/community/forums/usa-men.131/

[Dave in Green]

I agree that all sports share to some degree the problem of participants acting to deceive officials. In most cases the deception can't be reversed once the game is over. In this case, a player is being excluded from a future contest when there is clear and compelling evidence that the player being excluded is the victim of a flagrant deception. If FIFA cannot adjust to this situation and make things right, they are deeply flawed as a world sanctioning organization. The proper and fitting thing to do would be to exclude the offending player from the next contest, not the victim. At least the NBA is trying to clean up crap like this with their anti-flopping rule.

[Dr Z]

All sports contain the dastardly practice of deceiving officials.

I'm with DIG on this one. Rubs me the wrong way. NHL has it right, it's a penalty if you act a fool.

Deceiving may be part of the game, getting away with it is the issue.

[GP1]

I am in total shock that the "world's number one sport" can allow something like this to stand when there is crystal clear video of the incident available.

You hit the nail on the head. I'm not 100% sure, but soccer doesn't use instant replay. My rule would be..."Any player found to flop shall have his hands tied behind his back and the player accused of striking him shall have the opportunity to punch said flopper (sp?) in the face no more than three times."

or

"Any player found to flop shall be required to wear a Pinocchio nose no shorter than 12" strapped to his face for a minimum of five games."

Both would be preferable as the sport is full of such a bunch of floppers, half the game would be spent with half the guys wearing Pinocchio noses punching each other in the face. Give me this level of entertainment and I might actually watch a game.

[LZIp]

Diving in soccer is supposed to be a yellow card. The problem is that I dont think I've ever seen it called.

[Zipmeister]

I don't know; the violation that concerns you seems pretty serious compared to

[skip-zip]

I'm not sure what bothers me more. The fact that the guy clearly acted. Or, the fact that the official decided to hand out a yellow card for something that he didn't even see.

[MDZip]

Didn't feel like a new thread but on a more positive note, an MLS/Adidas ad before the MNT vs. Mexico featured five MLS players and two were former Zips (Zakuani and Mattocks).

[Spin]

Another OT post that kind of goes along with soccer credibility. Did you guys see the crowd at Columbus Crew stadium last night? Holy crap, as fast as that sold out, it's too bad Cleveland didn't get the Mexico game instead, we would have sold CBS out (something the Browns rarely do LOL).

[Dave in Green]

Fortunately, Besler's ridiculously undeserved suspension didn't stop the U.S. from beating Mexico, 2-0. Turns out the official who made the bogus call against Besler is Mexican. Now who would ever suspect a Mexican official of having any motive for seeing the U.S. team have to play without one of its best players in a critical match against Mexico?

[fknbuflobo]

Fortunately, Besler's ridiculously undeserved suspension didn't stop the U.S. from beating Mexico, 2-0. Turns out the official who made the bogus call against Besler is Mexican. Now who would ever suspect a Mexican official of having any motive for seeing the U.S. team have to play without one of its best players in a critical match against Mexico?

Clarence Goodson filled in admirably for Matt Besler.

Well done, USMNT!!! Dos a Cero!!

[a-zip]

It is not just a soccer problem

Seahawks Packers final

[Dr Z]

It is not just a soccer problem Seahawks Packers final

I think your missing the topic of the original post. Faking an injury to draw a penalty, not bad calls by referees. All sports have bad calls, I think we can all agree to that.

[a-zip]

I think your missing the topic of the original post. Faking an injury to draw a penalty, not bad calls by referees. All sports have bad calls, I think we can all agree to that.

I see what you are saying based on the link I posted. I was simply addressing the comment in the original post about post game video evidence changing a call..........it is not going to happen and that is an issue in all sports. Let me finish my thoughts, I was in a hurry............

Diving (faking injury) is an issue in every sport. Faking injury in the NFL is a Huge topic right now where players are trying to slow down these new fast paced offenses. The motives are a bit different from those of a soccer player but it is still deception to gain an advantage.

FIFA and the MLS have have addressed the "diving" issue. FIFA Rule - I am not sure if the rules are the same in the World Cup but they should be. Based on what I have read.......if this had occurred in a MLS or FIFA game, they could review the play and actually give the yellow card to the Costa Rica player and take it away from the U.S. player. (Not sure what the rules are in the NCAA but since they are such a worthless POS governing body, I would say they have not addressed it).

So Dave, hopefully you continue with your appreciation for the game, when played well it is a lot of fun.

[fknbuflobo]

I see what you are saying based on the link I posted. I was simply addressing the comment in the original post about post game video evidence changing a call..........it is not going to happen and that is an issue in all sports. Let me finish my thoughts, I was in a hurry............

Diving (faking injury) is an issue in every sport. Faking injury in the NFL is a Huge topic right now where players are trying to slow down these new fast paced offenses. The motives are a bit different from those of a soccer player but it is still deception to gain an advantage.

FIFA and the MLS have have addressed the "diving" issue. FIFA Rule - I am not sure if the rules are the same in the World Cup but they should be. Based on what I have read.......if this had occurred in a MLS or FIFA game, they could review the play and actually give the yellow card to the Costa Rica player and take it away from the U.S. player. (Not sure what the rules are in the NCAA but since they are such a worthless POS governing body, I would say they have not addressed it).

So Dave, hopefully you continue with your appreciation for the game, when played well it is a lot of fun.

CONCACAF is one of the six sub components of FIFA. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CONCACAF

The World Cup is the FIFA World Cup, all under the same governing body. So, the apparatus for ending these shenanigans is already in place, should they ever choose to execute the rules.

[a-zip]

CONCACAF is one of the six sub components of FIFA. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CONCACAF

The World Cup is the FIFA World Cup, all under the same governing body. So, the apparatus for ending these shenanigans is already in place, should they ever choose to execute the rules.

NOW I AM PISSED

[LZIp]

Another OT post that kind of goes along with soccer credibility. Did you guys see the crowd at Columbus Crew stadium last night? Holy crap, as fast as that sold out, it's too bad Cleveland didn't get the Mexico game instead, we would have sold CBS out (something the Browns rarely do LOL).

except they didnt sell out earlier this year when the USMNT played a much more star-powered opponent in Belgium.

[fknbuflobo]

except they didnt sell out earlier this year when the USMNT played a much more star-powered opponent in Belgium.

That is apples to oranges comparison.

1)International friendly against top 20 national side Belgium.

compared to

2)WC Qualifier vs. #1 Futbol (and popular culture) rival Mexico.

CBS just might sell out for that.

[Dave in Green]

@a-zip, I am developing more of an appreciation for the game of soccer. But the more you learn about a game, the more sensitive you get to flaws. I consider it a flaw when compelling evidence of a flop surfaces, and exclusion of a player for an upcoming game is not reversed. For example, I think that NASCAR also has lots of flaws. But when a race team "flopped" last Saturday to get another one of their drivers into the championship chase and NASCAR didn't get to see evidence of the flop until well after the race was over, they made retroactive penalties that took the driver from the flopping team out of the championship chase and reinstated a driver who would have qualified for the championship race if the other team hadn't taken a flop. I think that's a sensible and fair way for a professional sanctioning organization to operate, and that soccer would have more integrity if FIFA did something similar.

[a-zip]

@a-zip, I am developing more of an appreciation for the game of soccer. But the more you learn about a game, the more sensitive you get to flaws. I consider it a flaw when compelling evidence of a flop surfaces, and exclusion of a player for an upcoming game is not reversed. For example, I think that NASCAR also has lots of flaws. But when a race team "flopped" last Saturday to get another one of their drivers into the championship chase and NASCAR didn't get to see evidence of the flop until well after the race was over, they made retroactive penalties that took the driver from the flopping team out of the championship chase and reinstated a driver who would have qualified for the championship race if the other team hadn't taken a flop. I think that's a sensible and fair way for a professional sanctioning organization to operate, and that soccer would have more integrity if FIFA did something similar.

I agree with you. I am suprised the U.S. did not make a bigger deal out of it (maybe they did) if the FIFA rule applies. I can't imagine better evidence than the video. All the same, we have been vindicated......U.S. moves on to the World Cup and Mexico is OUT!!!! I wonder if that has ever happened.

[yazan07]

I agree with you. I am suprised the U.S. did not make a bigger deal out of it (maybe they did) if the FIFA rule applies. I can't imagine better evidence than the video. All the same, we have been vindicated......U.S. moves on to the World Cup and Mexico is OUT!!!! I wonder if that has ever happened.

Mexico can still qualify for the WC, they're not out just because we beat them the other night.

[fknbuflobo]

Mexico can still qualify for the WC, they're not out just because we beat them the other night.

Mexico likely will need to win a Home and Away series vs. New Zealand.