Diving, Video, Balls and the MLS
I am all for trying to remove diving from the game - I think it has no place in soccer. To help remove it from the game, I think FIFA needs to employ post-match video review.
I think of Postiga's crazy dive in the box against France - no contact and nothing but an attempt to deceive and win an undeserved PK for his team. The ref was probably turning his head as the ball was sent in from the corner and only saw Postiga going down. The ref did well not to fall for it, but it's hard for him to determine if its a flop because he is probably only seeing the end of the play (On replay, we could see at home that it was a ridiculous dive and worthy of punishment.)
You can have the equivalent of stewards at racetracks (guys who watch the race replays and judge whether a horse interefered with another if there is an inquiry) The "stewards" would sit down with a referee after the game and go over possible dives that they saw with the help of replays and different angles. Then they could hand out a suspension for offenses like Postiga's.
Also, I think they should use the same method to rescind cards that were not warranted. I think it is important for the match ref to be there, to help explain if a questioned card was for persistent fouling or verbal abuse and not just the debatable foul call. (Already exists as pointed out by The Editor - thanks)
I saw that FIFA is looking at changing to a 3 yellow-card = 1 game suspension. I think this is a good idea to help avoid suspensions like the one that forced Michael Ballack to miss the 2002 final. Lord knows if they will follow through on it.
In the days leading up to the World Cup, there was lots of talk about the Adidas World Cup Ball - mostly about how much it moves and about strikers licking their chops. Yes, Germany scored on a couple long screamers in the opener (Frings and Lamm) and Schweinsteiger sure looked like he knew how to hit it in the 3rd place match. But after watching about 60 matches, I think the ball might have a greater tendency to rise than previous balls. (I have to wait for the guys from the lab to get back to me with confirmation.) There seemed to be a real dearth of quality direct kicks and long strikes - most went over the net. This could be a contributing factor to the lack of goals this World Cup.
I have been hearing a fair amount of chatter about the possibility of Beckham coming to the USA and playing in the MLS. There has always been this conventional wisdom (going back to the Cosmos of the NASL) that we need big stars for the league to take-off. I think this is stupid for a few reasons:
1)Big money only lures declining stars to second tier leagues like Japan and some Arabian countries (and potentially the USA). You won't get a Ronaldinho or a Robinho - they can get paid big bucks and play with the best in the world in Europe. You will get an aging Lothar Mattheus or Youri Djorkaeff (Must admit, I still dug Youri even as late as his stint at Bolton). A fading Beckham surely would create buzz and sell some tickets (especially among the Boy Band fanbase), but i don't think he'd help create a better product on the pitch.
2) Stars are overrated- good soccer is the key. I won't watch the crappy Metrostars to see Djorkaeff, but I will watch the New England Revs to watch Dempsey/ Noonan/Joseph /Twellman and Co play really attractive soccer (The Revs are the first MLS team I will tune in to watch). You're better off nurturing American players and top players from around CONCACAF - guys like Dwayne De Rosario (Canada) and Shalrie Joseph (Grenada).
Watching a Houston/Chivas match the other night (I was a little desperate for soccer during an off-day at the Cup) - I was reminded that MLS soccer has improved dramatically. It's not the Prem or even the Eredivsie but the skill level and technical ability is infinitely higher than when the league began 11 years ago. With improving play, a growing domestic talent base, and smart decisions like building soccer-specific stadiums (adds so much more atmosphere than playing in cavernous, near-empty football stadiums), the MLS is on the right path. No need to veer wildly now.
Just saw a story on Yahoo about Materazzi possibly calling Zidane "a dirty terrorist" before the head-butt. I feel some vindication for Zizou (and my prediction) coming.
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=AjwzJ81FRULAsBmuulsL2sgmw7YF?slug=ap-wcup-materazzi-zidane&prov=ap&type=lgns
I think of Postiga's crazy dive in the box against France - no contact and nothing but an attempt to deceive and win an undeserved PK for his team. The ref was probably turning his head as the ball was sent in from the corner and only saw Postiga going down. The ref did well not to fall for it, but it's hard for him to determine if its a flop because he is probably only seeing the end of the play (On replay, we could see at home that it was a ridiculous dive and worthy of punishment.)
You can have the equivalent of stewards at racetracks (guys who watch the race replays and judge whether a horse interefered with another if there is an inquiry) The "stewards" would sit down with a referee after the game and go over possible dives that they saw with the help of replays and different angles. Then they could hand out a suspension for offenses like Postiga's.
Also, I think they should use the same method to rescind cards that were not warranted. I think it is important for the match ref to be there, to help explain if a questioned card was for persistent fouling or verbal abuse and not just the debatable foul call. (Already exists as pointed out by The Editor - thanks)
I saw that FIFA is looking at changing to a 3 yellow-card = 1 game suspension. I think this is a good idea to help avoid suspensions like the one that forced Michael Ballack to miss the 2002 final. Lord knows if they will follow through on it.
In the days leading up to the World Cup, there was lots of talk about the Adidas World Cup Ball - mostly about how much it moves and about strikers licking their chops. Yes, Germany scored on a couple long screamers in the opener (Frings and Lamm) and Schweinsteiger sure looked like he knew how to hit it in the 3rd place match. But after watching about 60 matches, I think the ball might have a greater tendency to rise than previous balls. (I have to wait for the guys from the lab to get back to me with confirmation.) There seemed to be a real dearth of quality direct kicks and long strikes - most went over the net. This could be a contributing factor to the lack of goals this World Cup.
I have been hearing a fair amount of chatter about the possibility of Beckham coming to the USA and playing in the MLS. There has always been this conventional wisdom (going back to the Cosmos of the NASL) that we need big stars for the league to take-off. I think this is stupid for a few reasons:
1)Big money only lures declining stars to second tier leagues like Japan and some Arabian countries (and potentially the USA). You won't get a Ronaldinho or a Robinho - they can get paid big bucks and play with the best in the world in Europe. You will get an aging Lothar Mattheus or Youri Djorkaeff (Must admit, I still dug Youri even as late as his stint at Bolton). A fading Beckham surely would create buzz and sell some tickets (especially among the Boy Band fanbase), but i don't think he'd help create a better product on the pitch.
2) Stars are overrated- good soccer is the key. I won't watch the crappy Metrostars to see Djorkaeff, but I will watch the New England Revs to watch Dempsey/ Noonan/Joseph /Twellman and Co play really attractive soccer (The Revs are the first MLS team I will tune in to watch). You're better off nurturing American players and top players from around CONCACAF - guys like Dwayne De Rosario (Canada) and Shalrie Joseph (Grenada).
Watching a Houston/Chivas match the other night (I was a little desperate for soccer during an off-day at the Cup) - I was reminded that MLS soccer has improved dramatically. It's not the Prem or even the Eredivsie but the skill level and technical ability is infinitely higher than when the league began 11 years ago. With improving play, a growing domestic talent base, and smart decisions like building soccer-specific stadiums (adds so much more atmosphere than playing in cavernous, near-empty football stadiums), the MLS is on the right path. No need to veer wildly now.
Just saw a story on Yahoo about Materazzi possibly calling Zidane "a dirty terrorist" before the head-butt. I feel some vindication for Zizou (and my prediction) coming.
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=AjwzJ81FRULAsBmuulsL2sgmw7YF?slug=ap-wcup-materazzi-zidane&prov=ap&type=lgns
posted by the idiot at 10:54 PM
4 Comments:
Thanks, oldfo - will do.
There is already a system set up to appeal cards that employs ref input and video evidence. The same should be done for diving. It can be done post-game in a similar fashion to the NFL. If there is conclusive evidence to overturn a call, it can be done. If not, then no go. Sure, it won't solve everything or end arguments but it will be a very positive step for the game.
I'm with you and just amended the blog to add your point - do they do this re:cards after every game or only if a team initiates an inquiry? I want the "stewards" to be able to initiate as well from watching video.
Boris - I am with you and have been pondering similar ideas, but, like you, am worried about downside of punishing real injuries. (BTW, I also hated the timing of a lot of these "injuries" - late in match, often after a turnover with a potential counter-attack. I think "fair play" would dictate play on until your team wins the ball back rather than other team having to kick the ball out of bounds.)
Gonna think about this some more and write a post based on your (credited) idea.
Keep the good stuff coming, Big B.
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