Comment on Chile and Argentina FIFA U-20 Semi-Final

As I write this post, I am in front of the telly-vision with my laptop (the only thing it can't do is dance) watching Argentina square off against Chile in the semi finals of the FIFA U-20 tournament.

Not that too many people care.

Still, to those who do, what was to be a classic match up between two highly skilled teams degraded into a farce thanks to the officiating. Ever hear stories about how cosmetic surgeons butcher clients? Well, this is what the German referee has done this evening. It was frustrating and embarrassing to watch.

We've seen this all too often in the past with soccer: incompetence. The official conducted his on field business as though he had a quota to meet. Is FIFA paying my yellow card commission now?

We often hear in sports "let the players decide"and that the best officials are the ones least heard or seen. Well, the referee did not let the players decide the game instead choosing to book fouls that were harmless. In fact, he fell for every Argentinean embellishment. Granted, Chile did not keep their cool in spots but these are teenagers we are talking about here.

If there is one thing the referee can be excused for is to be found in a cultural reality. Notably, it's notoriously difficult to officiate matches that involve South American teams. Some call it passion others call it a lack of discipline. Whatever it is, they come with sometimes unsurpassed technical genius and skill but impetuousness (that can turn violent) accompanies it. The scenes we saw tonight where coaching staffs and players storm the field are rarely seen in Europe.

For those who hope one day bad behaviour is curbed, the fact that Zidane did not face outright scorn suggests that we may have to wait.

Instant replay needs to be considered. Or at the very least linesmen need to have more power. Refs should consider their interpretations more.

With two players sent off, Chile was not able to overcome Argentina and fell 3-0. Argentina is a brilliant soccer team. The world's best. Chances are they probably would have won regardless of the referee. Chile, for their part, dazzled the world soccer community. Coming into this game they had not conceded a goal. It was to be a great game between two continental rivals for all fans.

Rather, the referee chose to, unwittingly of course, influence the outcome of this game.

And that's a bloody shame.