Refereeing has been a major talking point at the World Cup this week, but its the players who need to take responsibility when it comes to the red cards we have seen in South Africa – Socceroos Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell included.
No one likes to see a side reduced to 10-men in any game, but some of the players have been their own worst enemies.
If players approached some of the incidents in a smarter fashion, they would have remained on the pitch.
Remember, this is a World Cup, and a straight red card can signal the end of your tournament.
The most debatable ones have been to star players.
Of five, two came in the most carded games of the tournament, two to the team that has received the most red cards and one to a superstar of the game.
The Germany-Serbia and Switzerland-Chile encounters have received the most bookings – nine yellow cards and one red.
So why does star and experienced German striker Miroslav Klose tackle unnecessarily from behind when: a) he has already received a booking for a similar offence and b) everyone else has received a booking for a similar offence.
It might be a natural play for a striker to slow down play, but had he thought before the challenge, he wouldn’t have made it. His disbelief looked to be accompanied by a sense of regret as he trudged off.
Having a strict referee is part of the ball game, as Switzerland’s Valon Behrami learned the hard way.
Probably unlucky for using his usual motion when running with the ball, trying to shield, the referee’s assistant felt he had elbowed his opponent.
The referee was dishing out cards like Santa Claus delivers presents, making Behrami’s decision making poor, although he was very unlucky.
As for the Socceroos’ two superstars, Harry Kewell can consider himself unluckier than Tim Cahill, but both were in the wrong.
Unfortunately for the Everton star, he would have known Mexican referee Marco Rodriguez has a reputation for handing out yellow and red cards.
So his decision to slide tackle from behind, although pulling out, was wrong.
He meant no harm, but if Rodriguez had been watching Australia vs. New Zealand, he would know no better.
As for Kewell’s dismissal, which has been the most debated decision at the tournament thus far, his handball denied a goal.
If the referee felt Harry had moved his arm towards the ball, it was a sending off offence.
Kewell took a shot in the arm for the team and must accept the consequences.
It’s a tough one. What other option did he have? Well, not sure if he did, but perhaps not naturally moving to the right to reach the ball.
I’d prefer 1-1 with Kewell than 1-1 without.
Lastly to Brazilian superstar Kaka and my simple argument – he should have known better.
Kaka received two bookings in three minutes – the quickest between bookings at the Cup.
He’s a star and he needed some of his big game experience in this situation.
Ivorian Kader Keita went down like a flea clutching his face in the most unsporting of behavior, but Kaka should not have been involved.
Wishful thinking, but had he been brought up in Australia, he probably would have just pointed to the scoreboard.
Emotions run high I know, but white line fever is no excuse when you are supposed to be the best players in the world.
The refereeing hasn’t been top notch, but the players should know better, particularly at a World Cup.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Who stood out from the Australians both here and overseas in a busy week of the world game? Goalkeeper - Mathew Ryan- 3-0 win…
The UEFA Champions League is the gift that keeps giving for football fans: few major tournaments in any sport can claim to so consistently…
Joe Lolley was outstanding for the Sky Blues, scoring a brace as Sydney FC equaled their biggest ever victory.
Eight trophies is nothing to be sneered at, but can Klopp’s name can be mentioned among the best managers in the Premier League era?
The Matilda scored the first two of her team's goals in the 4-0 win.
With the Liverpool manager leaving the club after this season, his West Ham rival can't wait for him to go - in the nicest…
