Shady Reffing Continues in Final

[dbailey62]

US winning 1-0 early in second half. US was better at the beginning and scored but since the mid point of the half Japan has totally dominated the US.

However, the extremely biased pro-USA reffing has continued. In the first half a Japanese freekick was stopped by an outstretched hand in the box which was an absolutely clear freekick. Any ref would have to be not watching the play not to call a penalty on this but no penalty.

Shocking. Absolutely shocking.

[Gian-Luca]

No doubt we will now get the "It's okay everyone, I just intimidated the Ref into not calling it"-type quotes from Abby Wambach post-match.

[Cheeta]

^
One of the more pronounced differences between the men's and women's games.

If a male player would have gloated in the press about showing up a ref he may as well as have painted a bulls-eye on his back. The Ref's Guild will have their revenge on you on the pitch, they'll get their payback plus interest before you know it. Make no mistake about that (and what is more, when revenge does come, again, again, and again, the media will say you had it coming because you used your loud mouth to advertise a "reputation". There will be no sympathy what-so-ever).

But you don't see that in women's football. Not yet anyway.

Careful where you want the women's game to go, Wambach. The MANgina tactics seen by some players in the men's game now being employed by some players in the women's game may be a bit ahead of the officials but they'll catch up, fast. It's going to all work out in the wash sooner than you think.

Worse to my mind though, is when you eliminate one of the great attraction of the women's game, it's general respect for the sport and the on-field opponent (you know, old fashioned sportsmanship) you're left competing for the footie fans interest based only on skill and talent. Quite frankly, you're going back to the stone age if you decide that's the route you want to travel. That's a losing battle.

[loyola]

I'm very surprise that she missed that handball.

But I doubt the no call has anything to do with the US TBH, Steinhaus has a reputation and is an highly regarded ref. She won't be intimidated by the US and isn't the kind to pander to the USA players.

Anyways, unfortunate miss call who had a direct impact on the outcome of the game.

[Grizzly]

I'm very surprise that she missed that handball.

But I doubt the no call has anything to do with the US TBH, Steinhaus has a reputation and is an highly regarded ref. She won't be intimidated by the US and isn't the kind to pander to the USA players.

How do you explain the numerous erroneous calls in both US games that favoured the US while there were no erroneous calls favouring either Canada or Japan? In the final the missed American football tackle in front of the keeper was just as bad as the missed handball and that is not to mention other less crucial mistakes. And why were there no complaints about the reffing in the other two of the final 4 games that did not involve the US?

[loyola]

How do you explain the numerous erroneous calls in both US games that favoured the US while there were no erroneous calls favouring either Canada or Japan? In the final the missed American football tackle in front of the keeper was just as bad as the missed handball and that is not to mention other less crucial mistakes. And why were there no complaints about the reffing in the other two of the final 4 games that did not involve the US?

First, I see a big differemce between Pedersen and Steinhaus. The first look vulnerable and her foul recognition was just terrible. The second is more confident and can deal with a tough match. Unfortunately, she's also human and made a huge mistake. Pedersen was moe the kind of ref that could be intimidated by the US players.

That being said, if we are going to try explaining the calls that went in USA favour, we might want a point out that in the Canada game a pretty huge no call went in Canada favoured. Tancredi stomp. That's a RC right there.

Without proof that FIFA is fixing games I will think those mistakes are just human. Just like the French keeper who can't handle and easy lob in the box. We can say she was fixing the game or that she just made one.

I know FIFA is a corrupt organisation but I'm not sure they are messing with refs.

[Lord Bob]

First, I see a big differemce between Pedersen and Steinhaus. The first look vulnerable and her foul recognition was just terrible. The second is more confident and can deal with a tough match. Unfortunately, she's also human and made a huge mistake.

Two huge mistakes: Japan should have had another penalty when one of their forwards was absolutely bearhugged and American football tackled in the box.

[dyslexic nam]

Two huge mistakes: Japan should have had another penalty when one of their forwards was absolutely bearhugged and American football tackled in the box.

I tried to find a video of that one too, but was unable.

[AvroArrow]

I think one of the biggest knocks with the woman's game is that the officiating is often borderline incompetent. I remember watching the first half of the Canada US game and commenting that the ref was missing tonnes of fouls for both teams and that Canada should probably already have a couple yellows. FIFA learned the hard way in the men's game that you just can't parachute any old referee into a media focused soccer event and expect good results (remember all the errors in the Japan/Korea World Cup?). It seems they haven't applied this lesson to the women's game yet. If time has not allowed you to have a sizable pool of experienced female refs, then inject some male ones until you do.

[CAFAN]

People should see this video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pU-Zd...eature=g-all-c

On the non- handball, also look at what the US defenders are doing in the background.

None of it was called.....