lucidcg

While I believe there are acts of collusion in influencing the outcomes of games, the idea that there are agreements between national sides and Asian bookeepers is fanciful at best. The possibility of deals between two national squads (and/or their governments) or a national team and FIFA is significantly more viable. The most obvious assistance that FIFA provides is for the home team. No home team has ever failed to make it to the second round, and 6 out of 18 champions were home teams.


South Korea almost certainly received significant assistance in reaching the semi-finals in 2002. The officiating in the second round match of 2002 between South Korea and Italy was a disgrace, a 2 - 1 loss for the latter team. And it was a loss for them, not a win for Korea. The Italians led most of the match 1 to 0, but they had a good goal disallowed, a penalty kick not called, and a red card given to Totti in overtime. Italy had a disproportionate number of goals disallowed all tournament.


There were bad calls in the Italy vs Australia match, but they were hardly one-sided. Australia should be kicking themselves for not capitilizing on the powerplay they had for an entire half. The red card given to Materazzi was undeserved - a yellow card should have been given at best. The penalty kick given at the end could have gone either way judging from one's point-of-view on the field. Slow-motion video and various camera angles show it was a weak call. It certainly looked like a foul at first view though, and a foul (despite its severity) = a pk. If the referee didn't call it, game fixing accusations would be hurled at Australia. It could have been a make-up call, but the Italians hardly were handed the game (additionally, Italy was put in the group of Death - easy FIFA assistance wasn't given). All game-deciding calls in all sports are met with 50% bitterness, objectivity goes out the window.


The easiest and most effective solution is instant replay. I find it strange that all the major soccer leagues do not use it, from UEFA to FIFA to Serie A and the Premiership. I think there is a combination of not wanting to slow-down a free flowing game with a desire to keep credible denialibility. The lack of precision is utilized to sway games: help the home team, allow a ball to be hit in with a fist by a supposedly "great" Argentinian, help the Brazilians, etc. And yes, the Brazilians have had more than their fair share of assistance. Their great individual players + FIFA's help + consistently easy grouping = more championships than any other nation. Only important home teams (the big ones: Germany, France, etc) receive more assistance than Brazil. Case in point: Brazil vs France 98. For Brazil not getting any assistance in the match, they were given a nice amount four years later and they won the cup. Let's see how it pans out for the rest of this tournament. France and Brazil shall play again, and Germany will be playing an evenly matched Argentina. Hope for good play and transparent calling.