By George M.
Contributing Writer


Koman Coulibaly should never be allowed to referee an international match again. His performance in the 2010 World Cup game SLOVENIA 2 - 2 UNITED STATES   was a disgrace. I was an ice hockey referee for almost 20 years, so I am always willing to give the officials the benefit of the doubt. But in this case there is no excuse. What is very alarming is that FIFA president Sepp Blatter claims to like the "debate" and "subjectivity" that are caused by questionable decisions.

At the same time, with stories of widespread corruption rumbling just below the surface, Blatter claims that FIFA is making every effort to police the game and keep it free of outside influences.

Blatter is clueless (or perhaps dishonest?) if he thinks that "subjectivity" is good for the game. Such flagrantly bad calls as what we saw in this game (and the game that preceded it as well) leave a very strong impression that the referees are officiating the game subjectively, rather than objectively.

 And then the question becomes "Why? Are the referees biased against one team for reasons of politics, or (as has been alleged by writers like Declan Hill in his book "The Fix"), have they been bought?" Blatter wants to have it both ways, and he can't. I think that there should be serious consideration to putting 2 referees on the pitch.

A second referee was added to the officiating crew in professional ice hockey, because the players have gotten bigger and faster, and one person can't keep up with the game anymore. By the same token, one referee can't see everything that's going on out on the pitch.


Photo AP

United States' Jozy Altidore, left, and Michael Bradley, right, remonstrate with referee Koman Coulibaly, of Mali, in Johannesburg, South Africa. FIFA says its refereeing experts will comment Monday on the performance of match official Koman Coulibaly in the United States' 2-2 draw with Slovenia.


A second referee would not only provide another pair of eyes on the pitch to check for infractions, but would also act as a check on an incompetent or biased referee. Video replay should be employed for exactly the type of situation that occurred in the US-Slovenia game to ELIMINATE, or at least minimize subjectivity in the awarding of goals. It has been done very successfully in the National Hockey League, and has made the game better, not worse. It's time for Blatter, FIFA and soccer to change with the times and make a more convincing case for insuring the integrity of the game.


 


Related Story:

-  Result SLOVENIA 2 - 2 UNITED STATES, World Cup Group C Friday June 18, 2010 "Udinese goalkeeper Samir Handanovic with Slovenia"


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