If the ref takes the players off, it doesn't necessarily mean the abandonment of a game. Once whatever triggered the refs decision has been dealt with, play usually resumes. But even assuming that isn't possible, sometimes when a game is abandoned after less than 90 minutes the result still stands (our last game of the 1982-83 season against Derby is a painful example of this). So, in the circumstances you outline, if the ref feels unable to restart the game, the 5-0 scoreline would stand, Spain get three points (or a place in the next round if it's the knock-out stages) and Ukraine get a hefty fine and possibly other punishments up to and including being excluded from subsequent tournaments. That sounds fair to me, and it sounds like a perfectly servicable deterrent against fans trying to make abandonment work for them. It's also worth noting that sometimes scores from abandoned games aren't retained, meaning that a team desperately clinging onto a 1-0 lead against a stronger side wouldn't be able to guarentee three points by bringing about a premature end to the match. Either way, UEFA (and, elsewhere, the FA or any other governing body responsible for a tournament) has the power to prevent teams manipulating this kind of thing to their own advantage.
... and so it begins http://edition.cnn.com/2012/06/08/s...ism-football-netherlands/index.html?hpt=hp_c2
Remind themselves of the privileged lives their talent for kicking a ball about has given them and be thankful they'll soon be back to their millionaire lifestyles. But seriously,I hope they keep a stiff upper lip and carry on regardless.
I saw that too, very sad. Apparently the Dutch FA aren't going to make a complaint either, which is interesting.
