Just watched another game (Holland v Mexico) where some possibly contentious situations occurred re: penalty or no penalty. Robben is one player who seems to be involved quite often and who, IMO, makes a meal of most. I thought the penalty that was given was rather harsh but very theatrical by Robben, yet the one occasion where he may have justifiably got a penalty if he had gone down, he stayed on his feet and missed the ensuing chance. Diving in order to con the ref should certainly be outlawed, but the issue of contact baffles me. Football is a contact sport but media 'experts and pundits' harp on about the slightest of contact by a defender warranting a penalty yet the player looking for one often deliberately makes contact with or forces contact from the tackling defender. In the old days if you handled the ball in the area, it was a penalty, if you scythed down a forward in the area, it was a penalty. Strong tackling and associated contact was allowed!
Robben and Drogba were notorious divers at Chelsea, years ago. Robben is a serial cheating bastard, one amongst many. Mores the pity
Watched the France game, currently Germany v Algeria. Both France & Germany should be playing with 10 men. I've seen 2 horrendous tackles only one was given a yellow card? Refs in both games are crap!
To tell the truth I have not watched a single game "live". The 10 minute highlights are more than sufficient for me. There are not enough days left in my life to waste time on divers, cheats and dodgy refs, together with bad wine and beer.
I stayed up to watch Belgium v USA last night, best game of footie I've seen so far. Well done Geoff Cameron and his team mates. HOPE you we're watching WOY!
