The Goal That Never Was For Team USA
The Goal That Got Away for Team USA
By LEONNARD OJWANG
After watching the replays several times, one would wonder why Video Replays are still not allowed in soccer to help referees make judgments on calls they aren’t too sure about. Videos technology is being used extensively in tennis, American football and baseball, and has since proved to help refs make fair judgments on events they wouldn’t catch in real time.
In the case of Team USA game with Slovenians, not only were there no U.S. players offside, the only crimes being committed in the penalty area were by the Slovenians. And if scoring a clean goal is a crime, then the ref should consider watching Fabien’s double-handball goal against Ivory Coast, which the ref together with the line-man missed completely.
Otherwise, Maurice Edu committed no foul as he scored from just within 6 yards as the Slovenians showcasing wrestling skills in the penalty area (holding, grabbing, pulling or pushing) against other US players. In fact, a more logical call would be to give Team USA a penalty kick.
The Malian Referee Koman Coulibaly saw several of these fouls. Unfortunately, he disallowed Edu’s goal in the 86th minute because of a “foul.” The big questions are: To whom? What was the foul? Why wasn’t any of the players punished for it?
Even with all the wrestling going on a few feet from him, Coulibaly missed two American players’ being held and grabbed in different parts of the penalty area by Slovenian players.
FIFA has rejected the use of video technology, which could have even brought fairness and honesty in awarding red cards when appropriate. In fact, just within 1 week, a dishonest goal by Brazil’s Fabian was allowed, while a honest goal by USA’s Edu was disallowed – all because of calls which the refs are not sure about, but have no time to consult or watch replays. The cost: Ivory Coast lost the game, and Team USA is struggling to qualify and must beat Algeria in Pretoria on Wednesday to have any chance of qualifying.
Who knows whether video technology would have helped Coulibaly reach his decision at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park!
And what will happen if another ref’s blunder will cost a team the World Cup trophy this year?
