Who are going to stop the Dutch...

I've nothing generally against the Dutch and wasn't too bothered who would win the game, however the amount of cheating and diving by the Dutch team soon had me siding with the Portugese.

quote:

Originally posted by Steve G:
... had me siding with the Portugese.

A bit like Mr Ivanov then

Agreed - the diving by a few Dutch players was annoying.

quote:

Originally posted by ROTF:

quote:

Originally posted by Steve G:
... had me siding with the Portugese.

A bit like Mr Ivanov then

I thought be was siding with the English by making sure whoever faced them could only put half a team out! I don't see how he could be called pro-Portugal as he's done them no favours.

quote:

Originally posted by Steve G:
I don't see how he could be called pro-Portugal as he's done them no favours.

Apart from letting them through to the next round you mean

quote:

Originally posted by Rockingdoc:

quote:

Originally posted by Steve G:
I don't see how he could be called pro-Portugal as he's done them no favours.

Apart from letting them through to the next round you mean

As they were clearly miles better than a shoddy Dutch side I don't see how he could be regarded as letting them through.

Did the referee who gave the free-kick to England from which Beckham scored let England through, considering it was clearly a dive?

quote:

Originally posted by Rockingdoc:

quote:

Originally posted by Steve G:
I don't see how he could be called pro-Portugal as he's done them no favours.

Apart from letting them through to the next round you mean

LOL...
Not being biased or anything... but Portugal was clearly the better team in the match.

quote:

Originally posted by prc:

quote:

Originally posted by Rockingdoc:

quote:

Originally posted by Steve G:
I don't see how he could be called pro-Portugal as he's done them no favours.

Apart from letting them through to the next round you mean

LOL...
Not being biased or anything... but Portugal was clearly the better team in the match.

Are you sure you're not biased?

Referees do not cause bad behaviour they penalise it.

The Portugese and Dutch players acted like brats.

Disgraceful.

I think the referees could improve their performance though.

Learning phrases like (screamed):

'Get up off the ground you hollywooding scumbag or I'll slap a card on you'

in the language of the two teams might prevent future over-use of yellow cards.

I normally yell at players when I referee - it keeps them in line.
If they behaved like sportsmen rather than 4 year old girls the referee wouldn't need to do what they do.

quote:

Originally posted by ROTF:

quote:

Originally posted by prc:

quote:

Originally posted by Rockingdoc:

quote:

Originally posted by Steve G:
I don't see how he could be called pro-Portugal as he's done them no favours.

Apart from letting them through to the next round you mean

LOL...
Not being biased or anything... but Portugal was clearly the better team in the match.

Are you sure you're not biased?

At least I think I'm not.
I think the Dutch where too Predictable in there tatics.
Actually didn't think the ref did that bad a job, considering the conditions during the game.

quote:

Originally posted by joe90:
Referees do not cause bad behaviour they penalise it.

The Portugese and Dutch players acted like brats.

Disgraceful.

It was bad I agree, but wouldn't you have to say the same about the dive that gave the free-kick goal to get England through or the Italian dive for penalty ?

The referees control the game and set the boundaries of what are dangerous tackles. Soccer is a billion dollar business and players will try to push the enveloppe as much as they can to win the game. The term "dangerous tackle" is open to interpretation and the players will see what they can get away with.

In the game Bhoularouz should have been send off for trying to break Ronaldos leg. Having seen what is allowed the portuguese tried to decapitate Kuyt in the penalty area and no card or penalty was awarded. The umpire had now set the standard and players responded with an increasingly frustrated and bitter match. Good to see the red carded vBronckhorst and Deco chatting & watching the game in the grandstand.

FIFA was the only looser here. I don't understand why the players can argue with the umpires and even touch them. Any other football code (or even cricket) and they would be suspended for dissent.

Umpire ??

Soccer ??

Obviously what we need are 'time-outs' so the umpire can allow the soccer players to calm down and maybe bring on the cheerleaders to lighten things up a bit when things get too fraught.

quote:

Originally posted by ROTF:
Soccer ??

Seems more like the NHL.... ...Just need the hockey sticks...