Comments on: Egyptian Ref Saved by Australian Super Subs

By: john

john — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 11:02:53 +0000

this ref at least had the guts to admit that he was wrong top stuff

By: ron

ron — Sun, 18 Jun 2006 07:22:34 +0000

many errors in this one. The missed call on japan for wiping out the keeper. The take down of a japanese player across his knees in the 80th min. in the box. This ref showed no knowledge, courage, I’m outraged

By: » Primera polémicas con un árbitro egipcio | Planeta Especial Mundial de Fútbol, Tu Portada en Internet

Sun, 18 Jun 2006 00:24:32 +0000

[...] Lleva por nombre Essam Abd El Fatah, y seguramente sea el primer árbitro del Mundial que pase a la nevera. Otro árbitro egipcio de protagonista ¿Cómo es posible que no viese el penalty que le hacen a Japón? La FIFA se empeña en llevar árbitros de diferentes nacionalidades, incluso fuera de lo que se pueden considerar ligas realmente competitivas, y termina pasando lo que pasa, que termina influyendo en el resultado, aunque otros piensen lo contrario. [...]

By: matilda

matilda — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 10:27:01 +0000

In the article I read (from the Guardian) Zeigler stated two opinions publicly;

1. He think Cahill should have been penalised.
2. He thinks Schwarzer was fouled on the first goal.

As Martin said, FIFA seem to be saying “both teams benefited so they should both just shut up about it!”

I’m not attacking the ref because he had difficult decisions to make (and God knows I’d hate to be one.) However, I suspect that behind closed doors FIFA isn’t thrilled about this minor drama.

By: bit

bit — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 07:53:46 +0000

>Martin
That guy is not a referee is a former goalkeeper.

But a foul in the area is penalty. It doesnt matter if you already lost the ball or not. And it could have been a yellow card and Cahill already had a yellow card.

I still have doubts about Japan’s goal though.

By: ayman

ayman — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 23:19:28 +0000

Indeed, the refreeing committe clearence should be emphasized more cause apparently, this ref has done a good job and it is unfair to judge him wrong if experts opinion was in his favour add to that it was quoted as the Hrdest Decision.

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 22:39:31 +0000

people the ref has been already cleared of any wrong doing by the refeereing commitee. They also stated that this was the hardest decision of the first round. so i guess u would be seing more and more out of him…

By: Damien

Damien — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 19:26:33 +0000

2wheels, I think many of the previous comments have been right on the money.
Cahill’s tackle was clumsy, but as Komano had already lost the ball Essam Abd El Fatah showed good judgement in not giving a penalty.
It was especially fair considering that his decision had favoured Japan in the first goal.
Officially, two wrongs don’t make a right to FIFA, but most of us will think justice was done.

By: 2wheels

2wheels — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 10:20:45 +0000

Will some of you alert viewers have a comment on Cahill’s clip on Komano in the 2nd half? This was just a minute or so before he equalised.

Could this have been a penalty? Siegler (FIFA’s Commun Dir) was reported to publically admit the M-i-M’s (ref) mistake.

By: Martin

Martin — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 21:12:49 +0000

Nice to hear comments from a referee.

When this happened I was as stunned as Schwarzer and my fellow Aussies. I couldn’t believe it. Then after watching replays, I still couldn’t believe it. There might be a case of both Japanese players causing a foul. Our boys seemed to lose their way a bit after the initial anger wore off.

Master Hiddink pulled us through even though I am still 50/50 with the Japanese penalty decision. Slow replays make it even harder to determine if a player falls over the defenders leg or trips over the leg. But reading Aaron’s comments about the play already lost, I feel better that it was not a penalty.

At the end of the day, the decision did not affect the result of the game and the referee was brave enough to admit his error. At least he goes out of this tournament (if this is indeed his last match) with his dignity intact.

Great blog!