World 
Referees 
Referees
Wild Times in Stuttgart as Poll Cautions Simunic Thrice
It was one of the tournament’s most highly-touted officials in charge of the match which would likely decide second-place in Group F. England’s Graham Poll was the man in the middle for a cross-cultural rivalry of sorts for the encounter between Australia and Croatia – the Australians with six players of Croation descent (including Mark Viduka) and three Croatian players who were born in Australia.
More Referees World Cup News
I Hope My Pre-Tournament Prediction is Wrong
A month or two before the tournament began, I suggested that German referee Marcus Merk would be the man to officiate the final in Berlin on July 9th, assuming, of course, that his own country didn’t make it that far. Now I’m not so certain that Merk has proven himself to be the best man for the job. ... [read]
One Final Thought on Mastro’s Red Card
So as usual I went out to work a game this evening…nothing too extraordinary – a poorly played U14 Girls game. It was fairly entertaining, ending in a 1 – all draw. And just so you don’t all think I’m totally by the book, I let a couple of players off the hook on the same team – ... [read]
Rough Going for Ref in Gelsenkirchen…and a Goal-less Dud in Frankfurt
My notes were pretty sparse during the opening twenty minutes of Portugal’s group stage finale with Mexico as Slovakia’s experienced Lubos Michel took charge of things in Gelsenkirchen. I began to wonder if he might have a fairly easy time of things as Busacca had had in the England – Sweden match a day earlier.
(more…)
... [read]
Ivanov Even-Handed in Berlin and Busacca Avoids Controversy in England-Sweden Draw
It was Russia’s well-seasoned Valentin Ivanov in the middle of Germany’s battle with Ecuador to determine top spot in Group A. And while the home side easily dispatched of their South American opponents 3 – nil, Poland notched their first goals of the tournament in a meaningless 2 – 1 victory over Costa Rica with Thailand’s Shamsul Maidin in ... [read]
Poll Nearly Flawless in Ukrainian U-Turn…and Memories of Valencia ‘05
Well, there’s not really much to say about the Ukraine – Saudi Arabia match from Hamburg; a 4 – nil reversal of fortune for the former Soviet Republic in which England’s Graham Poll doled out six cautions. The EPL’s top ref showed why he was invited back to the world stage as he did a nice job talking with ... [read]
France WAS Robbed
First off, sorry I haven’t been able to throw in my two-cents about every match lately. It’s been a very busy time for me refereeing games of my own, and as a consequence, I’ve had to forego viewing much of this past weekend’s action.
(more…)
... [read]
We Wuz Robbed
…or so the story goes.
I wonder what the press will be reporting in countries other than the U.S.A. Will the Italian media admonish Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda the way former U.S. stars Eric Wynalda, Alexi Lalas, and Marcelo Balboa did throughout their broadcast of the Americans’ 1 – 1 draw with Italy on Saturday? Wynalda, who ... [read]
What You Were Watching While I Spent Another Six Hours With the State Police
It was Italian Roberto Rosetti in charge of Argentina’s 6 – nil goalfest over Serbia & Montenegro in Gelsenkirchen. And only a minute after Maxi Rodriguez’s 6th minute opener off a nice feed by Saviola, the referee issued the first caution of the match to Koroman when he came in late on Sorin.
(more…)
... [read]
Eight Hours With the State Police and I Still Caught Thursday’s Action From Germany
Well, I must admit, I fast-forwarded through as much of the games as possible when the ball was out of play, but I think I was able to ascertain that yesterday’s matches were more-or-less free from any controversy. But then again, I had already reffed EIGHT hour-long games at a tournament for the New York State Police.
... [read]
, or get email updates by entering your address below and let us tell you when there's something new.
Latest Comments
- The Ballet Referee
so crazy man...lol - Justice is Served
I'm a bit surprised you didn't issue a sendoff. It met the criteria for 'foul, abusive, or insultin ...[read more] - A New Look for the World Cup
it seems a new USSF color will be avaliable this fall, with the new patch, and the "fabled green" be ...[read more] - The Ballet Referee
Thanks Kyle. Where did you learn that? If there's a website about him you know would you give me t ...[read more] - The Ballet Referee
What a shame. This dude had moves. :-) - The Ballet Referee
He is a Brazilian referee named Margarida which means Daisy in Portuguese. He passed away in the 90s ...[read more] - The Ballet Referee
Oh God Sam, wouldn't I ever love to know. I'll do a little search to see if I can figure it out. ...[read more] - The Ballet Referee
Never gets old. Do you know what country it's from? ...[read more] - Materazzi Sees Red in Italy's Last-Second Victory Over the Socceroos in Kaiserslautern
Even though it may seem like a while ago but i still remember watching the itilian...'Walk' over luc ...[read more] - Justice is Served
For many years soccer was a true sport, where players played and loved the sport. Since USA 94 FI ...[read more] - Zidane Got What He Deserved as Italy Persevere to Lift Cup in Berlin
LikeZidane.com displays the act of the World ...[read more] - Zidane Got What He Deserved as Italy Persevere to Lift Cup in Berlin
For those who still think Materazzi used racist words against Zidane, here is the FIFA press realese ...[read more] - Zidane Got What He Deserved as Italy Persevere to Lift Cup in Berlin
Did ZZ get what he deserved, not even close. He got off way to light. I would have made him plac ...[read more] - Zidane Got What He Deserved as Italy Persevere to Lift Cup in Berlin
ITALIA is the best team to ever play the game ... Italians are going after the WORLD ... BRAZIL is n ...[read more] - Zidane Got What He Deserved as Italy Persevere to Lift Cup in Berlin
ITALY deserve the cup...France deserved to loose. I feel Italy were the better team in the final. Th ...[read more]
Referees Club Football News
- Would You Rather: Club Win the League? Or Country Win the World Cup?
- Daily Dose: October 11th, 2009.
- The Atlantic League: A European Not-Quite-Super-But Still-Quite-Good-League for Celtic, Rangers and Others
- Is Watching Football on the Internet The Future?
- The FFT100 - Agree? Disagree?
Categories
More Blogs
World Cup Referees
76 Articles | 614 Comments
New Zealand World Cup Team Blog
11 Articles | 30 Comments
Monthly Archives
Travel