I've watched enough games in the WC to now know that the standard of refereeing is way better than anything we're used to.
The biggest grumble we have as fans is the complete lack of consistency that we see in England. Not at the world cup it seems, they've all been primed by Pierluigi Collina, possibly one of the best international refs I remember.
The game is flowing way more, quite often with refs refusing to blow for the slightest contact. The knock-on effect is that play-acting is fast disappearing; players go down, the ref gives nothing so they get up and do a pretend hobble for 5 yards then carry on as normal.
VAR too seems a bit of a step ahead of what we're used to; quick, decisive and consistent.
Is it too much to hope that it carries over to the Premier League?
Quote from: Jim© on June 22, 2026, 04:44:31 PMI've watched enough games in the WC to now know that the standard of refereeing is way better than anything we're used to.
The biggest grumble we have as fans is the complete lack of consistency that we see in England. Not at the world cup it seems, they've all been primed by Pierluigi Collina, possibly one of the best international refs I remember.
The game is flowing way more, quite often with refs refusing to blow for the slightest contact. The knock-on effect is that play-acting is fast disappearing; players go down, the ref gives nothing so they get up and do a pretend hobble for 5 years then carry on as normal.
VAR too seems a bit of a step ahead of what we're used to; quick, decisive and consistent.
Is it too much to hope that it carries over to the Premier League?
Blimey Jim that's a long old game if they carry that hobble for 5 years 🤣
Quote from: alfie on June 22, 2026, 04:51:26 PMQuote from: Jim© on June 22, 2026, 04:44:31 PMI've watched enough games in the WC to now know that the standard of refereeing is way better than anything we're used to.
The biggest grumble we have as fans is the complete lack of consistency that we see in England. Not at the world cup it seems, they've all been primed by Pierluigi Collina, possibly one of the best international refs I remember.
The game is flowing way more, quite often with refs refusing to blow for the slightest contact. The knock-on effect is that play-acting is fast disappearing; players go down, the ref gives nothing so they get up and do a pretend hobble for 5 years then carry on as normal.
VAR too seems a bit of a step ahead of what we're used to; quick, decisive and consistent.
Is it too much to hope that it carries over to the Premier League?
Blimey Jim that's a long old game if they carry that hobble for 5 years 🤣
Ha ha, very true- I'll amend!
FIFA did this 4 years ago in Qatar which was the best refereed tournament I've witnessed. That is the exact opposite to the English Premier League which rewards diving, fouling the goalkeeper at corners, ridiculous time-wasting and blatant favouring teams they decide are "bigger". You would never have a Cape Verde if the PGMOL presided the World Cup.
Sorry for the negativity, but I can enjoy teams like France again when they are winning matches fairly as in this World Cup.
Quote from: Nick Bateman on June 22, 2026, 05:38:00 PMFIFA did this 4 years ago in Qatar which was the best refereed tournament I've witnessed. That is the exact opposite to the English Premier League which rewards diving, fouling the goalkeeper at corners, ridiculous time-wasting and blatant favouring teams they decide are "bigger". You would never have a Cape Verde if the PGMOL presided the World Cup.
Sorry for the negativity, but I can enjoy teams like France again when they are winning matches fairly as in this World Cup.
Nick- You forgot in the PL, being jumped by 6-8 players to whine over a call. Most of the WC refs are not standing for it. Most...
In the USA opening game v Paraguay, Almorin dived and hoodwinked the ref into booking Ream... Except that VAR asked the ref to have a second look, he reversed his decision and booked Almorin instead.
Has that ever happened before?
Anyway, PGMOL take note.
There is hardly any wrestling at corners, nor does there seem to be much arguing with the referee. I haven't seen all games (far from it) but the pundits are able to talk about football and not the referee or VAR which is totally refreshing compared to what we see in the PL week in week out. The obvious explanation of why the refereeing is better at the World Cup than in the PL is that the World Cup referees are overseen by Collina and the PL referees are overseen by Howard Webb.
Glad someone started this thread/topic. Have watched handful of games, very noticeable. Refs are not calling every bump, bruise, and coming together of players. Fewer stoppages of play when someone gets bumped. Very enjoyable to see more continuous play. And when a player actually goes down, they are letting play continue, with the player eventually picking himself up and joining play in short order, not really requiring assistance from physios or anyone else. Wish Prem would/could adapt to such a refereeing philosophy.
Quote from: WindyCity on June 23, 2026, 05:05:43 PMGlad someone started this thread/topic.
I did it straight off the back of watching (for the first time ever) the World Cup final in 1966, in colour.
I was blown away by the flow of the game. Not interrupted by feigning injury or slight touch fouls.
Now this tournament seems to be following in the same way,
even Michael Oliver, the only english ref there was trying to do the same.
As above, it's the consistency we're all crying out for and the refs in the WC seem to be entirely consistent. It's brilliant.
Refs have been very good, the new rules are good ones and i love the red card for face covering when obviously saying something nasty. Hope this is a new standard that is rolled out to all leagues and cups.
Quote from: Jim© on June 23, 2026, 05:16:38 PMI did it straight off the back of watching (for the first time ever) the World Cup final in 1966, in colour...
That little red-haired bloke still running his socks off?
Quote from: cmg on June 23, 2026, 06:32:50 PMQuote from: Jim© on June 23, 2026, 05:16:38 PMI did it straight off the back of watching (for the first time ever) the World Cup final in 1966, in colour...
That little red-haired bloke still running his socks off?
Alan Ball? He was class, looked perhaps the only one to match the athletes of today.
Quote from: Jim© on June 23, 2026, 07:09:50 PMQuote from: cmg on June 23, 2026, 06:32:50 PMQuote from: Jim© on June 23, 2026, 05:16:38 PMI did it straight off the back of watching (for the first time ever) the World Cup final in 1966, in colour...
That little red-haired bloke still running his socks off?
Alan Ball? He was class, looked perhaps the only one to match the athletes of today.
MoM - although that hadn't been invented yet.
Moore was close. Has anyone ever played Wembley as if he owned the joint more consistently than Bobby Moore? Maybe JNH.
I went and jinxed it. Worst refereeing performance of the wc so far!
Quote from: Jim© on June 22, 2026, 04:55:53 PMQuote from: alfie on June 22, 2026, 04:51:26 PMQuote from: Jim© on June 22, 2026, 04:44:31 PMI've watched enough games in the WC to now know that the standard of refereeing is way better than anything we're used to.
The biggest grumble we have as fans is the complete lack of consistency that we see in England. Not at the world cup it seems, they've all been primed by Pierluigi Collina, possibly one of the best international refs I remember.
The game is flowing way more, quite often with refs refusing to blow for the slightest contact. The knock-on effect is that play-acting is fast disappearing; players go down, the ref gives nothing so they get up and do a pretend hobble for 5 years then carry on as normal.
VAR too seems a bit of a step ahead of what we're used to; quick, decisive and consistent.
Is it too much to hope that it carries over to the Premier League?
Blimey Jim that's a long old game if they carry that hobble for 5 years 🤣
Ha ha, very true- I'll amend!
I agree with much of what you say but what happened last night?? Clearly the VAR's had popped out for a smoke when Konsa flattened a Ghana player in the box. It was a clear pen all day long and England got away with it.
Quote from: MisfitKid on June 22, 2026, 08:48:36 PMQuote from: Nick Bateman on June 22, 2026, 05:38:00 PMFIFA did this 4 years ago in Qatar which was the best refereed tournament I've witnessed. That is the exact opposite to the English Premier League which rewards diving, fouling the goalkeeper at corners, ridiculous time-wasting and blatant favouring teams they decide are "bigger". You would never have a Cape Verde if the PGMOL presided the World Cup.
Sorry for the negativity, but I can enjoy teams like France again when they are winning matches fairly as in this World Cup.
Nick- You forgot in the PL, being jumped by 6-8 players to whine over a call. Most of the WC refs are not standing for it. Most...
Though that is the refs fault, as the 'Only the Captain' rule in the FA rules of the game specifically deals with this, though Refs routinely ignore enforcing this and other rules as provided, as does the FA which are expected to review such conduct, but so very rarely do.
Quote from: v on June 22, 2026, 09:08:03 PMIn the USA opening game v Paraguay, Almorin dived and hoodwinked the ref into booking Ream... Except that VAR asked the ref to have a second look, he reversed his decision and booked Almorin instead.
Has that ever happened before?
Anyway, PGMOL take note.
The unfortunate reality is, they won't.
One of the reasons the WCF refereeing / VAR have been successful is that not only one Ref org is in charge of any one game, and FIFA have applied strict rules, something the English FA are soulfully unable to do and something the PGMOL Refs refuse to do (given they are so inconsistent in their rulings, even to the point of the same ref in different matches for the exact same offence).
The ONLY way this will be resolved is to, yet again, bring the PGMOL under the direct control of the FA (as in disband the PGMOL as a separate organization and make the refs direct employees), use the available technology correctly (even if that means fitting additional hardware at stadiums to be able to cover most angles of view), together with a discipline code that is enforced for refs that use their 'judgement' to decide on whether to apply the given rules or not.
The official for the England-Ghana debacle was the worst referee in the tournament. Blowing up for minor contact, allowing too much time for anything to be taken, poor judgement. I hope that was his last match and is sent home ASAP.
Quote from: Nick Bateman on June 24, 2026, 01:57:46 PMThe official for the England-Ghana debacle was the worst referee in the tournament. Blowing up for minor contact, allowing too much time for anything to be taken, poor judgement. I hope that was his last match and is sent home ASAP.
Yeah, a CONCACAF referee not from USA or Mexico. Sorry. We get that most every time we play in our confederation. It's terrible. We've had two EUFA refs so far and it's been very nice.
Quote from: Jim© on June 23, 2026, 05:16:38 PMQuote from: WindyCity on June 23, 2026, 05:05:43 PMGlad someone started this thread/topic.
I did it straight off the back of watching (for the first time ever) the World Cup final in 1966, in colour.
I was blown away by the flow of the game. Not interrupted by feigning injury or slight touch fouls.
Now this tournament seems to be following in the same way, even Michael Oliver, the only english ref there was trying to do the same.
As above, it's the consistency we're all crying out for and the refs in the WC seem to be entirely consistent. It's brilliant.
No walking football in those days, all end to end, unlike the nonsense we have to put up with these days.
Quote from: v on June 22, 2026, 09:08:03 PMIn the USA opening game v Paraguay, Almorin dived and hoodwinked the ref into booking Ream... Except that VAR asked the ref to have a second look, he reversed his decision and booked Almorin instead.
Has that ever happened before?
Anyway, PGMOL take note.
Sad thing is that the rule was incorrectly applied in that situation. They claimed "mistaken identity" which is really supposed to be for mistakes between players on the same team, not reversing a call like that. But it was such a good outcome I hope that ALL federations, leagues, etc., look at this as a clear cut way to help root out simulation from the game.
Quote from: DadCreature on June 24, 2026, 02:13:39 PMThey claimed "mistaken identity"
I suppose you could argue it was sort of mistaken identity.
Would love to see similar over here.
Quote from: Jim© on June 24, 2026, 02:57:45 PMQuote from: DadCreature on June 24, 2026, 02:13:39 PMThey claimed "mistaken identity"
I suppose you could argue it was sort of mistaken identity.
Would love to see similar over here.
I agree! And it boggles my mind that leagues do not want to use VAR to spot and punish simulation.
Quote from: Jim© on June 23, 2026, 07:09:50 PMQuote from: cmg on June 23, 2026, 06:32:50 PMQuote from: Jim© on June 23, 2026, 05:16:38 PMI did it straight off the back of watching (for the first time ever) the World Cup final in 1966, in colour...
That little red-haired bloke still running his socks off?
Alan Ball? He was class, looked perhaps the only one to match the athletes of today.
Quote from: Jim© on June 23, 2026, 07:09:50 PMQuote from: cmg on June 23, 2026, 06:32:50 PMQuote from: Jim© on June 23, 2026, 05:16:38 PMI did it straight off the back of watching (for the first time ever) the World Cup final in 1966, in colour...
That little red-haired bloke still running his socks off?
Alan Ball? He was class, looked perhaps the only one to match the athletes of today.
Oldie alert. I witnessed his first ever First Division game -for Blackpool at home. Was on hols for first game of the season.
Cannot believe the Qatar player got a five game ban, the foul was accidental and not even that bad.
Konsa's was more reckless, and Argentina made several really reckless fouls against Algeria that weren't even given as fouls.
Because the Establishment have a hidden agenda.
They need the big teams to always win.
It sells more souvenirs and football shirts throughout the world.
That encourages sponsorship including TV Money.
Greed is the only snake that cannot be charmed.
You can understand why many people including the Tin Hat Brigade call the Establishment Lizards, probably because that is how they come across as.
You only have to see these creatures sitting in seats they never paid for to understand what I mean.
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on June 25, 2026, 07:51:51 AMBecause the Establishment have a hidden agenda.
They need the big teams to always win.
It sells more souvenirs and football shirts throughout the world.
That encourages sponsorship including TV Money.
Greed is the only snake that cannot be charmed.
You can understand why many people including the Tin Hat Brigade call the Establishment Lizards, probably because that is how they come across as.
You only have to see these creatures sitting in seats they never paid for to understand what I mean.
But it can be beheaded, as per Blatter & Co. Unfortunately a new head with similar venom might grow back, as in this case. Cudgel anybody?
Quote from: Bassey the warrior on June 25, 2026, 07:43:00 AMCannot believe the Qatar player got a five game ban, the foul was accidental and not even that bad.
Konsa's was more reckless, and Argentina made several really reckless fouls against Algeria that weren't even given as fouls.
Messi pretty clearly should have been red carded. But there's 0% chance that happens.
Quote from: Logicalman on June 25, 2026, 04:48:30 PMQuote from: Woolly Mammoth on June 25, 2026, 07:51:51 AMBecause the Establishment have a hidden agenda.
They need the big teams to always win.
It sells more souvenirs and football shirts throughout the world.
That encourages sponsorship including TV Money.
Greed is the only snake that cannot be charmed.
You can understand why many people including the Tin Hat Brigade call the Establishment Lizards, probably because that is how they come across as.
You only have to see these creatures sitting in seats they never paid for to understand what I mean.
But it can be beheaded, as per Blatter & Co. Unfortunately a new head with similar venom might grow back, as in this case. Cudgel anybody?
Precisely a new head may grow back, unfortunately a stick may be insufficient in a case of this nature.
Fire is the best antidote, hence the reason why I always carry a Flamethrower with me wherever I go.
May I also mention that Infantino is a dead ringer for the Mekon who was Dan Dares arch enemy in the Eagle Comic of yester year.
Which reinforces the theory that Aliens may have already landed on Planet Earth.
My colleague and associate Nick Bateman may also be another classic example of proof we have already been invaded.
Which is why I am having Nick followed.
I can confirm he is currently in Northern Territory, Australia up the Creek without a paddle.
He is also using doubles to try and avoid detection.
So a general broadcast to everyone that he or his doubles could be coming to a street near you.
Quote from: DadCreature on June 25, 2026, 12:18:08 AMQuote from: Jim© on June 24, 2026, 02:57:45 PMQuote from: DadCreature on June 24, 2026, 02:13:39 PMThey claimed "mistaken identity"
I suppose you could argue it was sort of mistaken identity.
Would love to see similar over here.
I agree! And it boggles my mind that leagues do not want to use VAR to spot and punish simulation.
And part of the problem is calling it simulation. It is cheating!
Quote from: SG on June 26, 2026, 09:01:20 AMQuote from: DadCreature on June 25, 2026, 12:18:08 AMQuote from: Jim© on June 24, 2026, 02:57:45 PMQuote from: DadCreature on June 24, 2026, 02:13:39 PMThey claimed "mistaken identity"
I suppose you could argue it was sort of mistaken identity.
Would love to see similar over here.
I agree! And it boggles my mind that leagues do not want to use VAR to spot and punish simulation.
And part of the problem is calling it simulation. It is cheating!
And that wonderful stupid comment "professional foul" like it's ok.
Football is eating itself from within, and will one day collapse like a pack of cards.
It is now built on sand.
From the little I've seen it's been shocking. Those three women last night - what was that about?
Quote from: Marcus on June 26, 2026, 11:00:02 AMFrom the little I've seen it's been shocking. Those three women last night - what was that about?
I'd politely suggest that you've not watched much then. On the whole the reffing has been top drawer. Don't think the women did a bad job, do you?
Quote from: Marcus on June 26, 2026, 11:00:02 AMFrom the little I've seen it's been shocking. Those three women last night - what was that about?
What did the women do that was shocking ?
Thought leading to Germany's goal last night Pavlovic's foot was dangerously high and made contact with the Ecuador defender's head. Mysteriously okayed by VAR ???
Quote from: alfie on June 26, 2026, 11:38:06 AMQuote from: Marcus on June 26, 2026, 11:00:02 AMFrom the little I've seen it's been shocking. Those three women last night - what was that about?
What did the women do that was shocking ?
They were all smoking a pipe.
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on June 26, 2026, 12:44:44 PMQuote from: alfie on June 26, 2026, 11:38:06 AMQuote from: Marcus on June 26, 2026, 11:00:02 AMFrom the little I've seen it's been shocking. Those three women last night - what was that about?
What did the women do that was shocking ?
They were all smoking a pipe.
The same one or did they have one each?
Quote from: alfie on June 26, 2026, 01:06:24 PMQuote from: Woolly Mammoth on June 26, 2026, 12:44:44 PMQuote from: alfie on June 26, 2026, 11:38:06 AMQuote from: Marcus on June 26, 2026, 11:00:02 AMFrom the little I've seen it's been shocking. Those three women last night - what was that about?
What did the women do that was shocking ?
They were all smoking a pipe.
The same one or did they have one each?
Apparently after further research and the gathering of information.
It was the same one, a Drain Pipe.
Sadly after watching hapless Michael Oliver reffing the morrocco v Canada game, I dont think the play on (it was only a touch) attitude will be coming back to England.
It was the most fouls ever blown for in a knock out match at wc for 20 years.
Oliver, who I usually think is one of the better English referees was atrocious. He allowed Canadians to beat up Moroccans and that completely ruined the match. Even bigger problem was that he didn't allow Moroccans to do the same. E.g.there was a stomp by a Canadian player that wasn't deemed to be worthy of a yellow card and after that, two Moroccans got yellows for stomping on Canadian players feet, even though they were much less dangerous than the foul Canadians made.
Quote from: Marcus on June 26, 2026, 11:00:02 AMFrom the little I've seen it's been shocking. Those three women last night - what was that about?
Sorry, polite question - why shocking?
I still think the refereeing in the WC has been pretty good and not calling every bump and coming together of players or guys laying on the floor in apparent anguish. Sure, a few missteps, which is to be expected. And I will say Oliver, who I think is one of the best, had a difficult Morocco Canada game. Probably way too many fouls called and too many yellows shown. But on balance I've enjoyed the WC refs and handling of most of the games.
The referee in the Paraguay v France game is an absolute joke. He has allowed so many terrible fouls and not booked any Paraguay players at all. He is beyond atrocious.
Quote from: The Cravenette on July 04, 2026, 11:41:49 PMThe referee in the Paraguay v France game is an absolute joke. He has allowed so many terrible fouls and not booked any Paraguay players at all. He is beyond atrocious.
Absolutely criminal.
Quote from: WindyCity on July 04, 2026, 09:25:31 PMAnd I will say Oliver, who I think is one of the best, had a difficult Morocco Canada game. Probably way too many fouls called and too many yellows shown.
Quote from: The Cravenette on July 04, 2026, 11:41:49 PMThe referee in the Paraguay v France game is an absolute joke. He has allowed so many terrible fouls and not booked any Paraguay players at all. He is beyond atrocious.
Who'd be a referee, eh?
There was talk in his last match of match fixing and rigging. I wouldn't be surprised that something has happened here.
Tantashev was beyond disgusting.
Quote from: FFC007 on July 05, 2026, 12:39:06 AMThere was talk in his last match of match fixing and rigging. I wouldn't be surprised that something has happened here.
Tantashev was beyond disgusting.
I think that the France-Paraguay referee is just a terrible referee. He made some mistakes, granted nowhere near as many, that went against Paraguay. He also almost completely lost the control of the game. I don't believe it has anything to do with corruption. He's just clueless.
Tantashev. I have never seen such atrocious refereeing from the Azerbaijani on the French v Paraguay game on July 4.
Not corruption, just pure incompetence. France tried to play football. Paraguay came with little more than a cross between martial arts, rugby league and a completely hostile attitude to the French, the referee and the game of football.
Meanwhile, Tantashev booked three French players, no Paraguayans and ignored a stonewall penalty that even blind Freddy could see until VAR intervened.
Watching this cheating and thuggery was a painful task.
Nogood "FIFA needs to sharpen its management tools, isit" Boyo
Yeah Tantashev substandard and not up to the task.
Missed a lot of fouls and bookings and at the end lost control of the game with the players coming together in a melee and almost coming to blows. The linesman was forced to come help him.
With the penalty (which he initially missed) one of the Paraguay players scuffed the penalty spot behind the ref's back. I'd like to see the linesman or fourth official get involved at that point and flag that to the ref (of course the officials might've had their hands full trading words with the Paraguay bench or keeping them off the pitch !)
Historically many South American teams are known for their hostility Internationally and in a club level towards European teams, so no surprises there.
Nevertheless the referee who is supposed to be part of cream of the highest level of referees should have prepared himself for a game that could turn out like this.
We already know that FIFA are a Den of iniquity when push comes to shove, so no surprises there then either.
Quote from: Arthur on July 05, 2026, 12:33:19 AMQuote from: WindyCity on July 04, 2026, 09:25:31 PMAnd I will say Oliver, who I think is one of the best, had a difficult Morocco Canada game. Probably way too many fouls called and too many yellows shown.
Quote from: The Cravenette on July 04, 2026, 11:41:49 PMThe referee in the Paraguay v France game is an absolute joke. He has allowed so many terrible fouls and not booked any Paraguay players at all. He is beyond atrocious.
Who'd be a referee, eh?
Well the guy in the middle last night,
certainly wasn't a referee.
Dodgy as hell or high on some
South American substance.
Completely agree with all of this. Apart from I believe he is from Uzbekistan.
I remember Milan v Leeds
The old agdage if it looks like an elephant...... Is usually correct
When I said in the Milan Leeds game the ref had been got at I was told I was a fantasist and stuff like that.
Some time later he was done for taking back handers.
It's not possible that the ref and var officials failed to spot any wrong doings by one team but did for the other...especially odd was barcola being booked for no contact with an opponent.
I can't say we saw corruption, but I can think it because incompetence cuts both ways.
There are more brown envelopes floating around the bowels of the FIFA establishment than there is at WH Smith & Son, and the The General Post Office.
It would not surprise me if FIFA have already tied the Colour of the Ribbons and Engraved the name of the Country they intend to win The World Cup..... just saying.
Have I missed something? I thought France had won the 2026 World cup.
Quote from: v on July 05, 2026, 03:40:54 AMYeah Tantashev substandard and not up to the task.
Missed a lot of fouls and bookings and at the end lost control of the game with the players coming together in a melee and almost coming to blows. The linesman was forced to come help him.
With the penalty (which he initially missed) one of the Paraguay players scuffed the penalty spot behind the ref's back. I'd like to see the linesman or fourth official get involved at that point and flag that to the ref (of course the officials might've had their hands full trading words with the Paraguay bench or keeping them off the pitch !)
fortunately the right team progressed... France kept their cool... and M'bappe was very calm...
Agree with how poor the ref was..
I thought it might be just me but thankfully, the real knowledgable football people are on this site. The ref was awful and should not get another game. Anywhere, even on the park down the road.
Another blind ref in the Brazil Norway match. He missed a clear penalty for Brazil before VAR intervened.
Quote from: SerbianLad on July 05, 2026, 09:27:50 PMAnother blind ref in the Brazil Norway match. He missed a clear penalty for Brazil before VAR intervened.
I think his angle of view made it look like the defender got the ball first
Quote from: FulhamKC on July 05, 2026, 10:29:02 PMQuote from: SerbianLad on July 05, 2026, 09:27:50 PMAnother blind ref in the Brazil Norway match. He missed a clear penalty for Brazil before VAR intervened.
I think his angle of view made it look like the defender got the ball first
Still, that's a poor call to make. Maybe his positioning was poor or something.
On a more positive note, at least he didn't look at it for hours like most referees do. He took one look and realised he made a mistake and corrected it.
Quote from: SerbianLad on July 05, 2026, 10:33:22 PMQuote from: FulhamKC on July 05, 2026, 10:29:02 PMQuote from: SerbianLad on July 05, 2026, 09:27:50 PMAnother blind ref in the Brazil Norway match. He missed a clear penalty for Brazil before VAR intervened.
I think his angle of view made it look like the defender got the ball first
Still, that's a poor call to make. Maybe his positioning was poor or something.
On a more positive note, at least he didn't look at it for hours like most referees do. He took one look and realised he made a mistake and corrected it.
I was shocked about the second Brazil penalty though. Norway defender only has eyes for the ball and genuinely can't have his arm anywhere else but the ref seems to think he can jump with his arms by his side??
Quote from: Deeping_white on July 05, 2026, 11:42:20 PMI was shocked about the second Brazil penalty though. Norway defender only has eyes for the ball and genuinely can't have his arm anywhere else but the ref seems to think he can jump with his arms by his side??
Which also points to him being a poor ref. Once given, I understand why VAR didn't intervene though. As it isn't a clear an obvious error, because he did elbow him in the face. I too wouldn't have given it though.
Quote from: SerbianLad on July 06, 2026, 12:07:14 AMQuote from: Deeping_white on July 05, 2026, 11:42:20 PMI was shocked about the second Brazil penalty though. Norway defender only has eyes for the ball and genuinely can't have his arm anywhere else but the ref seems to think he can jump with his arms by his side??
Which also points to him being a poor ref. Once given, I understand why VAR didn't intervene though. As it isn't a clear an obvious error, because he did elbow him in the face. I too wouldn't have given it though.
Yeah no VAR check for it was mental. I know his arm made contact with the Brazil players face, but it was entirely accidental and he actually won the header so can't see how he's adjudged to have fouled the Brazil player
An incredible admission by Trump, saying that he did indeed get Infantino to reverse the Balogun red card.
https://news.sky.com/video/share-13561026
FIFA have to sort this out or the game's in serious danger. If of course he's telling the truth...
Quote from: Jim© on July 06, 2026, 04:20:35 PMAn incredible admission by Trump, saying that he did indeed get Infantino to reverse the Balogun red card.
https://news.sky.com/video/share-13561026
FIFA have to sort this out or the game's in serious danger. If of course he's telling the truth...
Trump will say anything that gets him press, good or bad. I could see it going either way.
Quote from: ArcticOctopus on July 06, 2026, 04:54:48 PMQuote from: Jim© on July 06, 2026, 04:20:35 PMAn incredible admission by Trump, saying that he did indeed get Infantino to reverse the Balogun red card.
https://news.sky.com/video/share-13561026
FIFA have to sort this out or the game's in serious danger. If of course he's telling the truth...
Trump will say anything that gets him press, good or bad. I could see it going either way.
If USA lose to Belgium in the early hours of tomorrow our time then Trump being Trump I wouldn't be surprised if he persuades FIFA 2 replay the game as often as needed until USA win and then do the same in the rest of their games until they win the WC itself!!!!
Community note: The MOD team knows it is difficult not to turn this subject into a political discussion, but please try to avoid any politics.
As an American, I have said my peace in the "Love Jedi and Tim Ream" Thread.
I believe that in FIFA's own rulebook, it states that if there is political interference towards FIFA or a given countries FA by the same countries government then that countries national team is to be suspended until said political interference is ended. Of course in this situation it won't happen because Infantino is a crook who has cosied up to Trump, but by the strict definition of the rules the USMT should be out of the world cup
The last quarter final and Switzerland is well on top after levelling v Argentina when Swiss player Embolo decides to take a dive and get Paredes booked...
Except that, as we've seen from the Almiron incident in the USA - Paraguay game, VAR gets involved if it detects clear simulation.
The upshot being the ref rescinds the Paredes booking and rightly books Embolo instead.
Embolo had already been booked so is sent off (leaving his team a man short and letting Argentina off the hook as they were seriously out of sorts at that point !)
I can't remember a more idiotic decision by a player in a World Cup but if it ends up costing Switzerland, it just might make footballers think twice in future about hoodwinking the ref.
Quote from: v on July 12, 2026, 04:02:02 AMThe last quarter final and Switzerland is well on top after levelling v Argentina when Swiss player Embolo decides to take a dive and get Paredes booked...
Except that, as we've seen from the Almiron incident in the USA - Paraguay game, VAR gets involved if it detects clear simulation.
The upshot being the ref rescinds the Paredes booking and rightly books Embolo instead.
Embolo had already been booked so is sent off (leaving his team a man short and letting Argentina off the hook as they were seriously out of sorts at that point !)
I can't remember a more idiotic decision by a player in a World Cup but if it ends up costing Switzerland, it just might make footballers think twice in future about hoodwinking the ref.
It's a wrong decision that is against the rules. VAR can't interfere for yellow cards, even if it's potentially a second yellow. Players dive all the time, if VAR intervened every time, there'd be a lot of yellows. Another clear example of referees favouring Argentina. It's absolutely disgusting. It's never been so clear.
Quote from: Deeping_white on July 06, 2026, 08:51:48 PMI believe that in FIFA's own rulebook, it states that if there is political interference towards FIFA or a given countries FA by the same countries government then that countries national team is to be suspended until said political interference is ended. Of course in this situation it won't happen because Infantino is a crook who has cosied up to Trump, but by the strict definition of the rules the USMT should be out of the world cup
The incorrigible individual Infantino showed another example of his conflict of interest habit by smugly sitting next to the King of Norway during last nights match.
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on July 12, 2026, 10:19:05 AMThe incorrigible individual Infantino showed another example of his conflict of interest habit by smugly sitting next to the King of Norway during last nights match.
When the King of Norway declares his wish to attend an event, he is expecting to be looked after by the head of that organisation. For the KIng to be chaperoned by a lesser dignitary would be an insult. In this instance, the organisation was FIFA and it's figurehead (like it or not) is Infantino. It's not a case of a conflict of interest; it's a matter of etiquette. It's not Infantino's doing that King Charles wasn't there. Had he wished to be, Infantino would have been obliged to sit between the two Kings.
One conspiracy theory too far.
The refereeing has gotten worse as the tournament progressed. The Germany disallowed goal for a slight contact on the 'keeper, Egypt's wonder-goal chalked off for a tiny step on an Argie's toe, to yesterday's sending off for simulation (had ref done his job properly he would have not awarded a foul to the diver and not issued a yellow card). We've seen Michael Oliver give a ridiculous dive by Jeremy Doku, yet Harry Kane not given one which led to Norway's goal - the inconsistency is confusing.
VAR is getting involved in re-refereeing; I thought Haaland's "push" to deny a Norwegian goal was obvious but Anderson also played for the foul and feigned weakness. One only hopes VAR does not feature in the remaining games in the World Cup or it will leave a bitter taste.
Quote from: Nick Bateman on July 12, 2026, 03:20:54 PMThe refereeing has gotten worse as the tournament progressed. The Germany disallowed goal for a slight contact on the 'keeper, Egypt's wonder-goal chalked off for a tiny step on an Argie's toe, to yesterday's sending off for simulation (had ref done his job properly he would have not awarded a foul to the diver and not issued a yellow card). We've seen Michael Oliver give a ridiculous dive by Jeremy Doku, yet Harry Kane not given one which led to Norway's goal - the inconsistency is confusing.
VAR is getting involved in re-refereeing; I thought Haaland's "push" to deny a Norwegian goal was obvious but Anderson also played for the foul and feigned weakness. One only hopes VAR does not feature in the remaining games in the World Cup or it will leave a bitter taste.
I disagree, that was a bit of a shove, and really it doesn't matter how hard, it was still a two handed shove.
Quote from: WindyCity on June 23, 2026, 05:05:43 PMGlad someone started this thread/topic. Have watched handful of games, very noticeable. Refs are not calling every bump, bruise, and coming together of players. Fewer stoppages of play when someone gets bumped. Very enjoyable to see more continuous play. And when a player actually goes down, they are letting play continue, with the player eventually picking himself up and joining play in short order, not really requiring assistance from physios or anyone else. Wish Prem would/could adapt to such a refereeing philosophy.
I have a theory that the above approach is designed to "sell" the game to Americans, who are unlikely to fall in love with the stop/start football that we often suffer in the UK. I suspect that referees have been briefed accordingly. Of course, because of the desire to have officials from all the nations involved, there will be some who are inexperienced at refereeing top-class players or with the pace of the game at top levels. There will also be some who are so steeped in the standards of their own leagues that they find it difficult to let things go (or vice-versa). Then again, no-one really knows what inducements might or might not be offered to individual referees.
Quote from: SerbianLad on July 12, 2026, 09:59:38 AMQuote from: v on July 12, 2026, 04:02:02 AMThe last quarter final and Switzerland is well on top after levelling v Argentina when Swiss player Embolo decides to take a dive and get Paredes booked...
Except that, as we've seen from the Almiron incident in the USA - Paraguay game, VAR gets involved if it detects clear simulation.
The upshot being the ref rescinds the Paredes booking and rightly books Embolo instead.
Embolo had already been booked so is sent off (leaving his team a man short and letting Argentina off the hook as they were seriously out of sorts at that point !)
I can't remember a more idiotic decision by a player in a World Cup but if it ends up costing Switzerland, it just might make footballers think twice in future about hoodwinking the ref.
It's a wrong decision that is against the rules. VAR can't interfere for yellow cards, even if it's potentially a second yellow. Players dive all the time, if VAR intervened every time, there'd be a lot of yellows. Another clear example of referees favouring Argentina. It's absolutely disgusting. It's never been so clear.
Second time it's happened in this tournament and long may it continue until diving is driven out of football altogether.
Quote from: LittleErn on July 12, 2026, 03:33:49 PMI have a theory that the above approach is designed to "sell" the game to Americans, who are unlikely to fall in love with the stop/start football that we often suffer in the UK.
Not sure I agree, Americans watch NFL which is possibly the most stop start game you'll ever see. Apart from baseball.
Quote from: BarryP on July 12, 2026, 06:12:59 PMSecond time it's happened in this tournament and long may it continue until diving is driven out of football altogether.
Then they went against the rules 2 times at this tournament. And why didn't it happen during Argentina-Cabo Verde game then? Or is it another rule, like the foul in the build-up to the goal, applied only when it suits the team FIFA wants to win.
Anyone who is defending this decision needs to take their Messi goggles off. The tournament is rigged for Argentina to go as far as possible, probably for commercial reasons. Switzerland might be my least favourite NT in the world, yet I still believe they were robbed. Rules explicitly state that VAR can't be used for yellow card offences. Ridiculous decision. If ref gave it without VAR, no one could argue it was the wrong decision, even if you said it was harsh or whatever. Since he didn't, this is just wrong and against the rules.
Quote from: SerbianLad on July 12, 2026, 07:29:10 PMRules explicitly state that VAR can't be used for yellow card offences. Ridiculous decision. If ref gave it without VAR, no one could argue it was the wrong decision, even if you said it was harsh or whatever. Since he didn't, this is just wrong and against the rules.
From the BBC Sport website, the day before the World Cup began:
Mistaken identity: This is an incredibly niche addition which Collina requested. If a player is booked or sent off but the foul was actually committed by the opposition team, the decision can be changed.If the BBC has got its facts right, VAR was able to intervene because the referee booked Paredes when the offence was committed by Embolo. The grey area (if there is one) is whether the rule amendment was intended to allow the referee to book the offender on the opposing team alongside the reversal of the incorrectly awarded yellow card.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ce8jv326d7vo
Quote from: SerbianLadThen they went against the rules 2 times at this tournament. And why didn't it happen during Argentina-Cabo Verde game then? Or is it another rule, like the foul in the build-up to the goal, applied only when it suits the team FIFA wants to win.
Anyone who is defending this decision needs to take their Messi goggles off. The tournament is rigged for Argentina to go as far as possible, probably for commercial reasons. Switzerland might be my least favourite NT in the world, yet I still believe they were robbed. Rules explicitly state that VAR can't be used for yellow card offences. Ridiculous decision. If ref gave it without VAR, no one could argue it was the wrong decision, even if you said it was harsh or whatever. Since he didn't, this is just wrong and against the rules.
You obviously aren't applying the mistaken identity rule that was announced before the World Cup.
As said above "Mistaken identity" is when officials assign a yellow or red card to the wrong player in a match. The official can then go to VAR for a video review to determine if they made the correct call. If it is determined that the foul was given to the wrong player, then it is called "mistaken identity."
You don't have to like the change but it was a correctly applied in this situation.
For the record I'm not rooting for Argentina but I am glad a diving cheat got the yellow card he deserved.
Quote from: BarryP on July 12, 2026, 10:45:06 PMYou obviously aren't applying the mistaken identity rule that was announced before the World Cup.
As said above "Mistaken identity" is when officials assign a yellow or red card to the wrong player in a match. The official can then go to VAR for a video review to determine if they made the correct call. If it is determined that the foul was given to the wrong player, then it is called "mistaken identity."
You don't have to like the change but it was a correctly applied in this situation.
For the record I'm not rooting for Argentina but I am glad a diving cheat got the yellow card he deserved.
3 things:
1) that change is moronic. The mistaken identity is, as the name itself says, when you kistake an identity of a player, i.e. you book a player wearing e.g. number 3 instead of a player wearing e.g. number 8. Something similar happened in PL with I think Arsenal and Gibbs and Oxlade-Chamberlain before VAR. It's to prevent those kind of mistakes.
2) I've found numerous sources quoting that rule now and not a single one mentions giving a booking to the opposing player.
3) that rule hasn't been consistently applied at this world cup. I'm relatively busy right now, so can't do it now, but in a few weeks I could watch previous games and give you exact examples where similar happened and there was no VAR.
Quote from: SerbianLad3 things:
1) that change is moronic. The mistaken identity is, as the name itself says, when you kistake an identity of a player, i.e. you book a player wearing e.g. number 3 instead of a player wearing e.g. number 8. Something similar happened in PL with I think Arsenal and Gibbs and Oxlade-Chamberlain before VAR. It's to prevent those kind of mistakes.
2) I've found numerous sources quoting that rule now and not a single one mentions giving a booking to the opposing player.
3) that rule hasn't been consistently applied at this world cup. I'm relatively busy right now, so can't do it now, but in a few weeks I could watch previous games and give you exact examples where similar happened and there was no VAR.
1. As I said you don't have to like the rule but I do for specifically regarding simulation.
2. https://www.theifab.com/law-changes/latest/
VAR may review:
a player wrongly being shown a red or yellow card when the offence was committed by another player of
either team.
This certainly implies if not directly states the card can be moved from one player to another. The offence that caused a foul to be called was simulation. If no yellow card was issued then no review but it is past time divers stop benefiting from breaking the rules.
3. I saw two instances where a defending player was given a yellow card when the opposing player was clearly diving in an attempt to draw a foul and both instances were handled identically.
If this exact scenario happened in other instances I did not see it or hear it reported.
Quote from: BarryP on July 12, 2026, 10:45:06 PMQuote from: SerbianLadThen they went against the rules 2 times at this tournament. And why didn't it happen during Argentina-Cabo Verde game then? Or is it another rule, like the foul in the build-up to the goal, applied only when it suits the team FIFA wants to win.
Anyone who is defending this decision needs to take their Messi goggles off. The tournament is rigged for Argentina to go as far as possible, probably for commercial reasons. Switzerland might be my least favourite NT in the world, yet I still believe they were robbed. Rules explicitly state that VAR can't be used for yellow card offences. Ridiculous decision. If ref gave it without VAR, no one could argue it was the wrong decision, even if you said it was harsh or whatever. Since he didn't, this is just wrong and against the rules.
You obviously aren't applying the mistaken identity rule that was announced before the World Cup.
As said above "Mistaken identity" is when officials assign a yellow or red card to the wrong player in a match. The official can then go to VAR for a video review to determine if they made the correct call. If it is determined that the foul was given to the wrong player, then it is called "mistaken identity."
You don't have to like the change but it was a correctly applied in this situation.
For the record I'm not rooting for Argentina but I am glad a diving cheat got the yellow card he deserved.
Exactly my thoughts.
As was mentioned on another thread, the mistaken ID rule was applied already once in this World Cup, when Paraguay's Almiron dived and got Tim Ream booked for the US.
VAR intervened and the ref overturned Ream's yellow and cautioned Almiron instead (rightly to my mind) for simulation.
Besides I think deliberately trying to get a fellow professional booked is unsportsmanlike.
Obviously Embolo wasn't up-to-date with the new ruling, or thought VAR might overlook his dive. Either way he was guilty of naivety and got his just desserts.
But the thing I'm most interested in is whether this new rule will be carried over into the PL and CL after this tournament is over.
I hope so, because it might just cut out some of the playacting which has blighted football recently.
Quote from: BarryP on July 12, 2026, 11:56:54 PM1. As I said you don't have to like the rule but I do for specifically regarding simulation.
2. https://www.theifab.com/law-changes/latest/
VAR may review:
a player wrongly being shown a red or yellow card when the offence was committed by another player of either team.
This certainly implies if not directly states the card can be moved from one player to another. The offence that caused a foul to be called was simulation. If no yellow card was issued then no review but it is past time divers stop benefiting from breaking the rules.
3. I saw two instances where a defending player was given a yellow card when the opposing player was clearly diving in an attempt to draw a foul and both instances were handled identically.
If this exact scenario happened in other instances I did not see it or hear it reported.
I agree.
If, in the case of this rule change, the actual offending player has committed a cautionable action - and simulation (in the case of Embolo) is a yellow card offence - why wouldn't the referee caution that player as a result of being sent to the monitor? A referee can do so in other situations in which VAR intervenes.
I shall be interested to see how many 'exact examples... and there was no VAR' Serbian Lad finds. There have been dives that have gone unpunished and free-kicks given to a team when the award should have been to the opposition, but I'm not aware any of these led to a player being cautioned mistakenly - other than Tim Ream for whom VAR intervened.
Quote from: v on July 13, 2026, 12:18:57 AMBut the thing I'm most interested in is whether this new rule will be carried over into the PL and CL after this tournament is over.
It is one of IFAB's changes to the Laws of the Game for next season.
https://www.theifab.com/law-changes/latest/
Quote from: Arthur on July 13, 2026, 12:48:28 AMI agree.
If, in the case of this rule change, the actual offending player has committed a cautionable action - and simulation (in the case of Embolo) is a yellow card offence - why wouldn't the referee caution that player as a result of being sent to the monitor? A referee can do so in other situations in which VAR intervenes.
I shall be interested to see how many 'exact examples... and there was no VAR' Serbian Lad finds. There have been dives that have gone unpunished and free-kicks given to a team when the award should have been to the opposition, but I'm not aware any of these led to a player being cautioned mistakenly - other than Tim Ream for whom VAR intervened.
I'll try to find it then in about 2 weeks time. I remember that there were almost exact same situations, I just can't remember in which matches.
Also, isn't it kind of stupid that you can get a yellow for diving via VAR if your opponent gets booked, but you don't get a yellow for diving via VAR if you dive but the opponent doesn't get booked but it's still given as a foul? It seems stupid to me.
As for what
@v and
@BarryP said, yes Almiron did get booked in a similar situation. But that proves my point that certain teams get protection from the refs. USA alongside Argentina was the team that got most help from FIFA. They had a red carded player play in their next match because his suspension was suspended for crying out loud. The ref clearly helped them vs Australia too, for example. I'm not surprised at all that the only 2 teams that benefited from this rule change are USA and Argentina.
Btw, I hate diving, and I'm all for trying out things that will help eliminate that. That being said, I think that this particular rule has its faults.
Quote from: SerbianLad on July 13, 2026, 10:05:21 AMAs for what @v and @BarryP said, yes Almiron did get booked in a similar situation. But that proves my point that certain teams get protection from the refs.
You have a muddled idea as to what constitutes 'proof'. At this point in time, there are the only two instances of which we know in which a player had a caution rescinded because it was clear a player on the opposing team had dived. Unless other such instances come to light, the incidents involving Ream and Paredes simply tell us the rule has been applied as and when it was meant to be.
Quote from: Arthur on July 13, 2026, 11:34:20 AMQuote from: SerbianLad on July 13, 2026, 10:05:21 AMAs for what @v and @BarryP said, yes Almiron did get booked in a similar situation. But that proves my point that certain teams get protection from the refs.
You have a muddled idea as to what constitutes 'proof'. At this point in time, there are the only two instances of which we know in which a player had a caution rescinded because it was clear a player on the opposing team had dived. Unless other such instances come to light, the incidents involving Ream and Paredes simply tell us the rule has been applied as and when it was meant to be.
If you want other examples, I'll have to do it later, as I said, I dont have the time right now
One of the faults with the new law is that "mistaken identity" is a misnomer. That phrase implies to me that the referee has inadvertently confused one player with another from the same team, which has happened occasionally in the past, in which case there would reasonable grounds for VAR to intervene to inform the referee. In this case, the referee intended to book Paredes, he didn't do it because he was confusing him with another player.
They might as well change the law to allow VAR review of any and all yellow cards. The application of the law as exemplified in the Paredes and Embolo case is inconsistent with situations where a yellow card is wrongly given, but can not be reviewed.
Quote from: Plodder on July 13, 2026, 12:17:34 PMOne of the faults with the new law is that "mistaken identity" is a misnomer. That phrase implies to me that the referee has inadvertently confused one player with another from the same team, which has happened occasionally in the past, in which case there would reasonable grounds for VAR to intervene to inform the referee. In this case, the referee intended to book Paredes, he didn't do it because he was confusing him with another player.
They might as well change the law to allow VAR review of any and all yellow cards. The application of the law as exemplified in the Paredes and Embolo case is inconsistent with situations where a yellow card is wrongly given, but can not be reviewed.
Here's an idea why not put Big numbers
on the back of players shirts, this could
enable the REF. or linesman/woman .to
identify the culprit.
I like the 'mistaken identity' rule. I think the object is to get the correct result.
BUT what I want to know is why is the 10 yard rule being ignored?
AND
why are players not booked when clearly delaying a quick re-start for a free kick of any type?
Encroachment of the 10 yard rule seems to be endless.
and whilst I am on the subject I hate the massed ranks of substitutes on the sideline generally and also find it wrong they are allowed to run on the pitch and celebrate a goal.
Quote from: Andrew on July 13, 2026, 02:55:09 PMI like the 'mistaken identity' rule. I think the object is to get the correct result.
BUT what I want to know is why is the 10 yard rule being ignored?
AND
why are players not booked when clearly delaying a quick re-start for a free kick of any type?
Encroachment of the 10 yard rule seems to be endless.
and whilst I am on the subject I hate the massed ranks of substitutes on the sideline generally and also find it wrong they are allowed to run on the pitch and celebrate a goal.
I'm sure during the last World Cup they stopped the subs charging onto the pitch, and then they stand in a circle having a meeting, why can't they stop this, it's lIke they are frightened to upset the teams. Another thing that really annoys me, in a game last week there was a free kick, the ball was placed but the ref ran half way across the pitch and made them move the ball back about 6 inches, yet 5 mins later there was a throw in, the throw was taken a good 10 yards from where the ball went out, even though the refs attention was drawn to it, he just waved play on
I thought the refereeing was quite good at the WC beginnings, but has grown progressively dodgy as the tournament has played out......
Quote from: WindyCity on July 13, 2026, 04:10:23 PMI thought the refereeing was quite good at the WC beginnings, but has grown progressively dodgy as the tournament has played out......
Definitely agree with that. I liked it at the start- a laissez faire attitude, hence the post. But now, bloody hell it's gone full circle.
Might be my imagination (and I haven't watched every game - has anyone?) but we seem to be getting much less wrestling/grappling at corners. But dissent, visible and obvious dissent with referees and linesmen, seems to be going relatively unpunished. Happy to be proved wrong on either.......
Quote from: Plodder on July 13, 2026, 12:17:34 PMOne of the faults with the new law is that "mistaken identity" is a misnomer. That phrase implies to me that the referee has inadvertently confused one player with another from the same team, which has happened occasionally in the past, in which case there would reasonable grounds for VAR to intervene to inform the referee. In this case, the referee intended to book Paredes, he didn't do it because he was confusing him with another player.
They might as well change the law to allow VAR review of any and all yellow cards. The application of the law as exemplified in the Paredes and Embolo case is inconsistent with situations where a yellow card is wrongly given, but can not be reviewed.
I agree with most of what you said, specifically about the name of the rule being a misnomer.
I do believe this rule was specifically worded to limit the number of situations in which it could be used to prevent overly re-refereeing matches. It limits players unfairly receiving a yellow card due to another player's actions and that is all it does.
This is a dead-horse that I have beat for a while... As a former Ref I think that Football has turned into "Clutch and Grab". And the WC has more than proven this. Nothing but holding, pulling a shirt and interfering with a player, it is non-stop. And the Ref's seem to let it all go. If I wanted to see that I would watch a UFC fight (which a don't like).
As a fan of Ice Hockey, that game was that way a few years back. They realized all that did was reduce scoring (surprise). The NHL decided to make a change and "made" the ref's call all the holding and grabbing, it is now like night and day. And guess what, there is more scoring and the players figured it out too. :guitar-playHDs:
I haven't seen this anywhere else...
Pickford could / should have got a Red Card Vs Norway under the new rule of covering his mouth when taking to an opponent...
https://youtube.com/shorts/e6_f0A0QfKs?is=5LA9dOmU99Uada4P
🤔
Quote from: Jim© on June 22, 2026, 04:44:31 PMI've watched enough games in the WC to now know that the standard of refereeing is way better than anything we're used to.
The biggest grumble we have as fans is the complete lack of consistency that we see in England. Not at the world cup it seems, they've all been primed by Pierluigi Collina, possibly one of the best international refs I remember.
The game is flowing way more, quite often with refs refusing to blow for the slightest contact. The knock-on effect is that play-acting is fast disappearing; players go down, the ref gives nothing so they get up and do a pretend hobble for 5 yards then carry on as normal.
VAR too seems a bit of a step ahead of what we're used to; quick, decisive and consistent.
Is it too much to hope that it carries over to the Premier League?
Generally agree but feel sorry for Egypt who had a perfectly good goal disallowed by VAR and England were denied a penalty v Norway. But that said, VAR worked well to chalk off Norway's goal after Haaland's push on Stones. The game is so fast now, that VAR is necessary.
Quote from: SuperFreeman on July 14, 2026, 05:43:50 AMGenerally agree but feel sorry for Egypt who had a perfectly good goal disallowed by VAR...
This is what Pierluigi Collina, the most respected referee of recent decades, has to say about it:
'There is no defined limit regarding either the distance from goal or the amount of time between the incident and the goal.
An example of this came in the Argentina v Egypt game where Egypt No. 19 Marwan Attia clearly treads on the foot of Argentina No. 6 Lisandro Martínez.'https://inside.fifa.com/refereeing/news/pierluigi-collina-we-are-not-influenced
Quote from: Arthur on July 14, 2026, 10:36:02 AMQuote from: SuperFreeman on July 14, 2026, 05:43:50 AMGenerally agree but feel sorry for Egypt who had a perfectly good goal disallowed by VAR...
This is what Pierluigi Collina, the most respected referee of recent decades, has to say about it:
'There is no defined limit regarding either the distance from goal or the amount of time between the incident and the goal.
An example of this came in the Argentina v Egypt game where Egypt No. 19 Marwan Attia clearly treads on the foot of Argentina No. 6 Lisandro Martínez.'
https://inside.fifa.com/refereeing/news/pierluigi-collina-we-are-not-influenced
Which to my mind is crazy. It opens the doors for VAR to re-referee the game even more, going back as far as they want to find a foul.
It's been rigged from the first ball that was kicked.
Quote from: Jim© on July 14, 2026, 11:04:57 AMQuote from: Arthur on July 14, 2026, 10:36:02 AMThis is what Pierluigi Collina, the most respected referee of recent decades, has to say about it:
'There is no defined limit regarding either the distance from goal or the amount of time between the incident and the goal.
An example of this came in the Argentina v Egypt game where Egypt No. 19 Marwan Attia clearly treads on the foot of Argentina No. 6 Lisandro Martínez.'
Which to my mind is crazy. It opens the doors for VAR to re-referee the game even more, going back as far as they want to find a foul.
What would you advocate?
It seems to me that an arbitrary length of time to go back - such as 10 seconds - would seem ridiculous if an offence took place a fraction of a second before. Surely it has to do with the passage of play that occurs in between the foul and the goal. Had Argentina, for instance, after the foul on Martinez, regained control of the ball only for Egypt to win it back legitimately and then score, I don't think VAR would intervene. It was the fact Egypt turned defence into attack into a goal in succession that saw the involvement of VAR.
Quote from: Arthur on July 14, 2026, 09:12:46 PMQuote from: Jim© on July 14, 2026, 11:04:57 AMQuote from: Arthur on July 14, 2026, 10:36:02 AMThis is what Pierluigi Collina, the most respected referee of recent decades, has to say about it:
'There is no defined limit regarding either the distance from goal or the amount of time between the incident and the goal.
An example of this came in the Argentina v Egypt game where Egypt No. 19 Marwan Attia clearly treads on the foot of Argentina No. 6 Lisandro Martínez.'
Which to my mind is crazy. It opens the doors for VAR to re-referee the game even more, going back as far as they want to find a foul.
What would you advocate?
It seems to me that an arbitrary length of time to go back - such as 10 seconds - would seem ridiculous if an offence took place a fraction of a second before. Surely it has to do with the passage of play that occurs in between the foul and the goal. Had Argentina, for instance, after the foul on Martinez, regained control of the ball only for Egypt to win it back legitimately and then score, I don't think VAR would intervene. It was the fact Egypt turned defence into attack into a goal in succession that saw the involvement of VAR.
Yes, I think that's right.
It's to do with 'passage of play'. As I understand it, if the passage of play changes and a team loses possession, the contested foul is scrubbed from the record and doesn't weigh on the eventual goal.
Quote from: Arthur on July 14, 2026, 09:12:46 PMWhat would you advocate?
It seems to me that an arbitrary length of time to go back - such as 10 seconds - would seem ridiculous if an offence took place a fraction of a second before. Surely it has to do with the passage of play that occurs in between the foul and the goal. Had Argentina, for instance, after the foul on Martinez, regained control of the ball only for Egypt to win it back legitimately and then score, I don't think VAR would intervene. It was the fact Egypt turned defence into attack into a goal in succession that saw the involvement of VAR.
Well by not stating a time or "same passage of play" it is immediately open to interpretation. That interpretation of the rules is what is dangerous as it won't always be fair.
If it was 10 seconds, then so be it, it is a rule and it is a fixed point where you at least know where the line is drawn.
My concern is that there has, in any game I've watched, never been a rewind so far from the goal being scored. Was it a clear and obvious error? Not really, it was a touch, so not clear and obvious.
Everyone around the world is feeling that Argentina have had fixed games, I hope tonight's match doesn't provide further evidence.
Quote from: Jim© on July 12, 2026, 07:12:12 PMQuote from: LittleErn on July 12, 2026, 03:33:49 PMI have a theory that the above approach is designed to "sell" the game to Americans, who are unlikely to fall in love with the stop/start football that we often suffer in the UK.
Not sure I agree, Americans watch NFL which is possibly the most stop start game you'll ever see. Apart from baseball.
Fair point.
Hypothetical but serious question:
last night Spence was apparently caught by Messi's foot while attempting to clear his penalty area and stayed down, seeming to be injured. Play resumed, VAR didn't intervene and a goal resulted from the cross.
If the referee had blown for a foul which had Spence rolling around in agony and the ref booking Messi (or whomever) for dangerous foul play, and then VAR intervened to tell the ref to re-examine the incident because there was little or no contact and Spence had feigned injury to get a free kick...would the referee be forced to apply the mistaken ID rule, rescind Messi's yellow and book Spence instead?
And because this playacting offence took place in the penalty area, award a penalty to Argentina?
Interested to know what you all think but seems to me this is a possible future scenario in any match with VAR, and maybe a time-bomb in the waiting? 💣
I thought Argentina were very lucky not to get several yellows. The ref seemed very lenient to some of the barging, Anderson getting g punched in the back of the head.
Argentina were just like a Don Revie leeds team,
used to see this type of game week in week out.
Some real hard players about in those days.
Quote from: Jim© on July 15, 2026, 04:31:58 PMQuote from: Arthur on July 14, 2026, 09:12:46 PMWhat would you advocate?
It seems to me that an arbitrary length of time to go back - such as 10 seconds - would seem ridiculous if an offence took place a fraction of a second before. Surely it has to do with the passage of play that occurs in between the foul and the goal. Had Argentina, for instance, after the foul on Martinez, regained control of the ball only for Egypt to win it back legitimately and then score, I don't think VAR would intervene. It was the fact Egypt turned defence into attack into a goal in succession that saw the involvement of VAR.
Well by not stating a time or "same passage of play" it is immediately open to interpretation. That interpretation of the rules is what is dangerous as it won't always be fair.
If it was 10 seconds, then so be it, it is a rule and it is a fixed point where you at least know where the line is drawn.
My concern is that there has, in any game I've watched, never been a rewind so far from the goal being scored. Was it a clear and obvious error? Not really, it was a touch, so not clear and obvious.
What matters is whether it is the same passage of play. In the case of Egypt's disallowed goal, this passage began when the Egyptian player trod on the Argentinian player's foot.
Returning to FIFA's Chief Refereeing Officer Collina:
'After every goal is scored, the VAR checks the attacking possession phase (APP). If a foul is identified in the build-up and is deemed to have had an impact on the goal, the VAR will recommend an on-field review. There is no defined limit regarding either the distance from goal or the amount of time between the incident and the goal.
'We believe that a foul is a foul. Regardless of whether the foul appears 'obvious', if the referee did not see it on the field of play, the VAR can intervene.'
Quote from: v on July 16, 2026, 03:24:15 PMHypothetical but serious question:
last night Spence was apparently caught by Messi's foot while attempting to clear his penalty area and stayed down, seeming to be injured. Play resumed, VAR didn't intervene and a goal resulted from the cross.
If the referee had blown for a foul which had Spence rolling around in agony and the ref booking Messi (or whomever) for dangerous foul play, and then VAR intervened to tell the ref to re-examine the incident because there was little or no contact and Spence had feigned injury to get a free kick...would the referee be forced to apply the mistaken ID rule, rescind Messi's yellow and book Spence instead?
And because this playacting offence took place in the penalty area, award a penalty to Argentina?
Interested to know what you all think but seems to me this is a possible future scenario in any match with VAR, and maybe a time-bomb in the waiting? 💣
What I'm trying to say is: if the Almiron and Embolo incidents happened inside their own penalty area, would the result be a booking for them plus a penalty?
Quote from: v on July 17, 2026, 03:28:05 AMQuote from: v on July 16, 2026, 03:24:15 PMHypothetical but serious question:
last night Spence was apparently caught by Messi's foot while attempting to clear his penalty area and stayed down, seeming to be injured. Play resumed, VAR didn't intervene and a goal resulted from the cross.
If the referee had blown for a foul which had Spence rolling around in agony and the ref booking Messi (or whomever) for dangerous foul play, and then VAR intervened to tell the ref to re-examine the incident because there was little or no contact and Spence had feigned injury to get a free kick...would the referee be forced to apply the mistaken ID rule, rescind Messi's yellow and book Spence instead?
And because this playacting offence took place in the penalty area, award a penalty to Argentina?
Interested to know what you all think but seems to me this is a possible future scenario in any match with VAR, and maybe a time-bomb in the waiting? 💣
What I'm trying to say is: if the Almiron and Embolo incidents happened inside their own penalty area, would the result be a booking for them plus a penalty?
I am also interested in the answer to this and am slightly sad that we haven't an answer 😂
My guess would be yes, but we have recently got rid of the red card and penalty if you are the last man (do away with the double punishment is the rhetoric) so in thatsense this would be a double punishment, maybe even threefold. You dont just lose the free kick, but you gaive away a penalty too, plus a yellow for the other team is now a yellow for yous.
If it would be a yellow and a pen then its a little bit hypocritical when taking other rules into account. If it's an indirect free kick inside the box and the yellow to the diving player, i think thats more fair.
Really hope someone knows the answer to this or is smart enough to explain the process for AI to answer (my AI was lost)
Quote from: Arthur on July 16, 2026, 09:31:19 PMQuote from: Jim© on July 15, 2026, 04:31:58 PMQuote from: Arthur on July 14, 2026, 09:12:46 PMWhat would you advocate?
It seems to me that an arbitrary length of time to go back - such as 10 seconds - would seem ridiculous if an offence took place a fraction of a second before. Surely it has to do with the passage of play that occurs in between the foul and the goal. Had Argentina, for instance, after the foul on Martinez, regained control of the ball only for Egypt to win it back legitimately and then score, I don't think VAR would intervene. It was the fact Egypt turned defence into attack into a goal in succession that saw the involvement of VAR.
Well by not stating a time or "same passage of play" it is immediately open to interpretation. That interpretation of the rules is what is dangerous as it won't always be fair.
If it was 10 seconds, then so be it, it is a rule and it is a fixed point where you at least know where the line is drawn.
My concern is that there has, in any game I've watched, never been a rewind so far from the goal being scored. Was it a clear and obvious error? Not really, it was a touch, so not clear and obvious.
What matters is whether it is the same passage of play. In the case of Egypt's disallowed goal, this passage began when the Egyptian player trod on the Argentinian player's foot.
Returning to FIFA's Chief Refereeing Officer Collina: 'After every goal is scored, the VAR checks the attacking possession phase (APP). If a foul is identified in the build-up and is deemed to have had an impact on the goal, the VAR will recommend an on-field review. There is no defined limit regarding either the distance from goal or the amount of time between the incident and the goal.
'We believe that a foul is a foul. Regardless of whether the foul appears 'obvious', if the referee did not see it on the field of play, the VAR can intervene.'
Well as I say that's open to too much interpretation. Werent the Egyptians facing their own goal? Is that not a defensive phase of play?
Quote from: Jim© on July 17, 2026, 06:08:33 PMQuote from: Arthur on July 16, 2026, 09:31:19 PMQuote from: Jim© on July 15, 2026, 04:31:58 PMQuote from: Arthur on July 14, 2026, 09:12:46 PMWhat would you advocate?
It seems to me that an arbitrary length of time to go back - such as 10 seconds - would seem ridiculous if an offence took place a fraction of a second before. Surely it has to do with the passage of play that occurs in between the foul and the goal. Had Argentina, for instance, after the foul on Martinez, regained control of the ball only for Egypt to win it back legitimately and then score, I don't think VAR would intervene. It was the fact Egypt turned defence into attack into a goal in succession that saw the involvement of VAR.
Well by not stating a time or "same passage of play" it is immediately open to interpretation. That interpretation of the rules is what is dangerous as it won't always be fair.
If it was 10 seconds, then so be it, it is a rule and it is a fixed point where you at least know where the line is drawn.
My concern is that there has, in any game I've watched, never been a rewind so far from the goal being scored. Was it a clear and obvious error? Not really, it was a touch, so not clear and obvious.
What matters is whether it is the same passage of play. In the case of Egypt's disallowed goal, this passage began when the Egyptian player trod on the Argentinian player's foot.
Returning to FIFA's Chief Refereeing Officer Collina: 'After every goal is scored, the VAR checks the attacking possession phase (APP). If a foul is identified in the build-up and is deemed to have had an impact on the goal, the VAR will recommend an on-field review. There is no defined limit regarding either the distance from goal or the amount of time between the incident and the goal.
'We believe that a foul is a foul. Regardless of whether the foul appears 'obvious', if the referee did not see it on the field of play, the VAR can intervene.'
Well as I say that's open to too much interpretation. Werent the Egyptians facing their own goal? Is that not a defensive phase of play?
To add in a little thing on both sides. I am, or at least thought I was, a fan of the phrase of play rule.
But I personally thought it wasnt the same phrase of play and the goal should of stood. Just too much happened in between and the argies had got themselves back into their defensive positioning a couple times before the goal.
And now by me thinking that but reading you twos comments, im now a little more on the fence because as Jim just said, that's too open to interpretations.... i.e. myself 🫣
Quote from: Jim© on July 17, 2026, 06:08:33 PMQuote from: Arthur on July 16, 2026, 09:31:19 PMWhat matters is whether it is the same passage of play. In the case of Egypt's disallowed goal, this passage began when the Egyptian player trod on the Argentinian player's foot.
Returning to FIFA's Chief Refereeing Officer Collina: 'After every goal is scored, the VAR checks the attacking possession phase (APP). If a foul is identified in the build-up and is deemed to have had an impact on the goal, the VAR will recommend an on-field review. There is no defined limit regarding either the distance from goal or the amount of time between the incident and the goal.
'We believe that a foul is a foul. Regardless of whether the foul appears 'obvious', if the referee did not see it on the field of play, the VAR can intervene.'
Well as I say that's open to too much interpretation. Werent the Egyptians facing their own goal? Is that not a defensive phase of play?
It was an attacking posssession phase for Argentina. For the purposes of this law, there are no 'defensive phases of play', only attacking possession phases for whichever team has the ball.
That you would prefer, however, for VAR to be restricted to looking back over an arbitrary yet clear-cut period of time is fair enough. It's just not how the law is applied.