World Cup is on full swing this weekend with the start of the knockout matches. Today's matches pitted Germany against England while Mexico faced Argentina. Both were excellent matches and clearly, the better teams won.
But not without any controversies...
In the Germany - England game, the controversy happen when Frank Lampard shot hit the crossbar and clearly crossed the goal line. Of course, England started celebrating but the referees never allowed the goal (Click here to see the goal). You can say that its the line judge's fault but the line judge was also way up to make sure there are no offside but I think the ref could have still counted the goal since the ball was way in before it bounce but out. The score should have been 2 - 2 before halftime and clearly would have change the complexion of the game. In the end, Germany beat England 4 - 1.
In the Mexico-Argentina game, the controversy also involved the line judge when he ruled Carlos Tevez onside for his wide-open header even though the he was clearly offside (See the captured image here). The Mexican players protested as replay show that he was clearly offside but the ruling stood. Eventually, Argentina will beat Mexico by a score of 3 - 1.
Those controversies clearly affected the, not only the outcome, but also the rest of the two matches. You can see the Mexico and England were desperately trying to get another goal and in the end just lost steam. And the controversies where clearly a distraction to both teams as they started to defend poorly, giving up easy goals as they try to push the ball up in the hopes of trying to score.
FIFA has made it clear that they wont use any video replays or goal-line technology because they are afraid that it would destroy the game. But these controversies, plus the other controversial calls during the first round matches, has clearly tarnish the image of a great sport.
Will FIFA use goal-line technology? Will the referees be punish for the missed calls?
Only time will tell..
