World Cup GDT: June 15th

[GirlySports]

just cause the ref is from somewhere else doesn't mean he sucks. They have done other FIFA tournaments such as U-17 and U-20. This Uzbekistan ref we're watching right now is one of the best in the world. He did a QF and a SF in South Africa.

He may not get many opportunities to ref in the top league, doesn't mean he's bad.

I doubt that the Tahitian ref get a game, he's already been a 4th ref in one of the games, he'll be a 4th ref again in the USA-Ghana match. He's there for experience.

[Bagor]

To say they are the best in the world is wrong.

The Tahitian wouldn't even be there if it was on merit and competency. He is there for optics like the Rwandan and Gambian etc.....

[GirlySports]

They are obviously good referees at lower FIFA level tournaments and have been promoted.

And I just looked at an article, the Tahitian ref is just there for support (4th ref), he won't get a game.

[scottish_flame]

So are people just watching the games to look out for diving? Are your lives that boring. Maybe some of you don't understand that when you are running at speed with a ball and someone clips you it's easy to fall down.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

just cause the ref is from somewhere else doesn't mean he sucks. They have done other FIFA tournaments such as U-17 and U-20. This Uzbekistan ref we're watching right now is one of the best in the world. He did a QF and a SF in South Africa.

He may not get many opportunities to ref in the top league, doesn't mean he's bad.

I doubt that the Tahitian ref get a game, he's already been a 4th ref in one of the games, he'll be a 4th ref again in the USA-Ghana match. He's there for experience.

Doesn't mean he's bad; but does mean there's much better.
As Bagor pointed out, they don't take the best refs in the world, and that's a mistake.
No one is saying these guys are complete tools or anything like that; just that there's better refs left out due to the political correctness of the selection process.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by scottish_flame

So are people just watching the games to look out for diving? Are your lives that boring. Maybe some of you don't understand that when you are running at speed with a ball and someone clips you it's easy to fall down.

This.
Most people who don't follow the sport or play it, have no idea what is or isn't a foul or dive.
Everyone knows soccer has diving problems, but I'm guessing 90% of what these guys think are dives are not at all.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Doesn't mean he's bad; but does mean there's much better.
As Bagor pointed out, they don't take the best refs in the world, and that's a mistake.
No one is saying these guys are complete tools or anything like that; just that there's better refs left out due to the political correctness of the selection process.

Sure but those guys aren't getting the big matches. Also you have the problem of if two teams from 2 different confederations play (like today) you must have a ref from a 3rd confederation for neutrality. Sometimes in the later rounds this can't be avoided. Also if your country makes the QF, that ref goes home.

All the Euro vs Euro matches in the first round have European refs.

If a ref proves himself in other FIFA tournaments such as Continental Championships (club and country) or underaged tournament then they should be rewarded no matter where they are from.

Brazillian ref will do France-Honduras
El Salvador ref will do Argentina-Bosnia

[nik-]

haha wow, nice work Ecuador

[GirlySports]

wow a Swiss winner. What a counter-attack.

The Ecudorian didn't pull the trigger when he had the chance in the box.

[SuperMatt18]

Amazing!

10 minutes of back and forth running and a winner in the 92nd!

[GirlySports]

that was a great advantage played by the ref.

[PeteLFan]

Unbelievable finish. I effing love this time of the year

[Troubamaker]

The blonde Swiss guy just showed the entire soccer world why you shouldn't dive after getting taken down! Awesome stuff!

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

that was a great advantage played by the ref.

Yup.

Credit to the Swiss player to hop back up and keep playing too.

Ecuador hesitated thinking it was a foul and got burned on the counter.

[Gundo]

hahaha epic failure is epic!

[Anduril]

Great end to end action resulting in a goal.

[SebC]

Haha Nigel's pick-up lines must be terrible.

Spoiler!

"Is there a lack of oxygen in here or is this world taking my breath away?"

[SuperMatt18]

Maybe the best start to a World Cup I've ever seen.

No draws yet, teams playing offensive and going for wins.

Might be a great tourney.

[GirlySports]

panel is just crushing Ecuador.. yeah the defending was poor at the end but let's see you play a 2nd half like that and see if you have any gas left.

[PeteLFan]

On the replay he got tackled then watches on as the Swiss push up embarrassing play.