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.
Lazza
Guest
Couldn't agree more Dejan, we have to play a lot smarter. Sliding in to tackles from behind leaves you open to the mercy of the referee. Stay on your feet and don't jump in to reckless tackles. Harry's handball was just rotten luck - he tried to chest it out but that stupid beachball swerved and hit his arm. Same with the Kiwis by the way. If you're going to grab someon's shirt in the penalty box then you're taking a big risk. An Italian would make sure the ref couldn't see it. It was the 89th minute, the game was over and they need Brazil to beat Portugal in their last match. Now they have to do it without one of their best players. Smart play!
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
Struggling to get a wide shot of it! It would've been the assistant referees decision I think - as a few of the red cards have been now that I come to think of it - Kaka, Kaita (Nigeria), Behrami.. I'd love to continue to be stubborn, only argument against would be if he braced in a different way - but you're right. He was obviously targeted because of his first yellow card. As for had Kaka dived ... depends, would he be holding his face? That's the be all and end all isn't it?
Rob Gremio
Roar Pro
Bollocks on the Kaka red card. Keita ran straight into him. He couldn't help but be involved. The first yellow card was stupid, and on that occasion, absolutely, he should not have been involved. The second card was absolutely not his fault. the fact that he was near the incident was his downfall. If you watch the footage again, Keita is all over another Brazilian, who gently pushes him away, and then he runs straight at Kaka, who wasn't even looking in his direction. How is that Kaka "getting involved". Kaka saw him coming out of the corner of his eye, and hardly moved, except to brace for contact, which meant his elbow moved slightly away from his body. His arm was never raised, but stayed down low. Perhaps if Kaka had dived when Keita ran into him it would have been a different outcome? Try watching the footage again. I also don't think the referee actually saw the incident, but just went on the player writhing around on the ground.
Fisher Price
Guest
Again, shifting the blame... technology at fault this time.
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
Apelu, I never said I liked it. But the players know the rules and what they can/can't do and what might happen if they do. So why do they continue to push the boundaries? Kaka is a superstar and the shame is we won't see him against Portugal - he's now 28 and played at the top level long enough to know there are players who will act the way Keita did, therefore - he should never create the possibility of being carded. The problem is that the moment Kaka lifted his arm for a "gentle touch" on Keita's chest, he opened up the possibility of receiving a booking. Yes, modern technology argument stands, but Kaka knows there isn't modern technology now so if the linesman sees him lift his arm and Keita go down holding his face... If he kept his arm down, no booking, life goes on. These are the world's best players, they need to play the game more smartly.
Apelu Tielu
Guest
Dejan, all of this nonsense could have been avoided if modern technology was used. Why has not soccer used replay to verify so many erroneous decisions, especially those milked by players? Why does soccer want to remain in the dinosaur age? If not during the game, it could use it after the game, and then penalised heavily those that try to fool the referees. For me, this my only issue with soccer. Referees will make errors, but if the error was due to a player fooling the referee with play-acting, then those are the decisions that i'd like to see being referred to a replay review. Consider the case of Kaka. You are accusing him of not taking responsibility himself. What about Keita? Is what he did ok with you. If it is, then it is people like you why cheating has been so common in this WC. Keita ran straight at Kaka. A gentle touch on his chest, and he went down hold his face! Had he known a replay would be used to check his cheating act, it is highly like he would not have done what he did. This is the thing that is destroying the game, and it seems like FIFA and people like you like it that way.