Santa Fe vs. Millionarios

ConorC says on Apr 27, 2009, 14:42:

Just noticed as well this guy wasn't a FIFA referee. Surely it's unusual to give such a high profile match to a non-FIFA referee that quickly? After all, he mentioned in his el tiempo interview that this was only his 36th match? Crikey, most Premier league refs don't get near the big matches for a few years!

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spigrimace says on Apr 27, 2009, 15:24:

Other than the obvious classico aspect, why would a 12 vs.14 seed be high profile? That is great that you can still have passion when they arent doing too good. They might as well let me ref (or play!) in a DIM or Nacional game as no one in the city cares. Although the trend is for teams in the Libertadores to give it their all for that copa and throw away the local league. So although 11 points out of a playoff spot with 5 games to go is too much of a task, I expect fully expect Sachi and DIM to wake up next season in the Copa Mustang II.

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ConorC says on Apr 27, 2009, 15:44:

Well high profile doesn't necessarily mean that the teams have to be doing well. I would contend that anytime Aston Villa and Birmingham get together you'd end up with a high profile ref. Likewise, significant derbies like Notts Forest vs. Derby are likely to be powder kegs waiting to happen (just ask Stuart Atwell) even though they are in the 2nd tier of English football.

It would be nice to see the Colombian teams doing well in the Liberatdores, to help shake off the dominance of the Brazilians and the Argies (last year with LDU excluded). Although the sad thing about the competition is because it's shop window for the European teams, the teams just can't sustain any success.

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jonny305 says on Apr 27, 2009, 18:17:

Anyone know where you can get reruns of matches online?

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romy says on Apr 27, 2009, 19:02:

I think only 2 Colombian refs are FIFA licensed. Some of the worst refs in the world are Colombian, not to mention their vulnerability to corruption and to be intimidated by home crowds. It was crazy the year Nacional won two championships, refs would call non-existant penalty shots in the last minute for Nacional to win the game, or give out non-existant red cards to the opposing team. Interesting how Nacional has performed since the refs have stopped making these calls.

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manINred says on Apr 27, 2009, 19:06:

Well, after the Tottenham/ManUnited match this saturday, some would be saying the worst refs are english ;) from the same guy who awarded 3 yellows in 2006.

Don't worry ConnorC, it's not only in Colombia.

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ConorC says on Apr 28, 2009, 00:12:

Well I can see why the penalty was awarded (not saying it's right!)

It wasn't the same guy as in 2006. Howard Webb's first major tournament was 2008. The guy in 2006 was Graham Poll who did one more professional season afterwards then retired.

I'm sure 4 refs are FIFA licensed and 6 Assistants.

At the end of the day referees are human beings and they will make mistakes. As Mr Velez quite rightly stated in el tiempo, are the reason the two teams are off the pace in the league because of his refereeing? No, they've played a ton of matches before hand. It's very rare that a decision by a referee has a major impact on the outcome of a season. Even Graham Poll's 3 card trick didn't have any outcome on the teams, Australia still went through.

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Fence231 says on Apr 28, 2009, 07:08:

The good teams still go on without being phased by this influence. Not every ref can be perfect, and surely it affects some games, but look at the Barranquilla game this weekend. They got red-carded early in the second half and still went on to score two goals and win the game in a very competitive match on the road, at Pereira, with Pereira being the clear favorite and having a dominant offense!

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manINred says on Apr 28, 2009, 12:21:

Conor C, mistype, I did mean the Euros... and it was Webb at the Euros who awarded 3 yellows I think?

And yes, I am a manc and can see why it was awarded as well... It's nice not to have to defend the decision to someone for a change :)

The only way to rid mistakes from the game, is to implement video technology. It would be adopted in Europe I would assume before adopted in Colombia though. And as you pointed out through Velez, there's not much statistical evidence that officiating is what separates any of the top teams in their respective position in the standings.

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ConorC says on Apr 28, 2009, 13:15:

I'm a referee (and hope to continue in Colombia :P) and hence see without my red tinted glasses on :P (or blue, or red and white, or...) and instead see it with a cool and calm mind :)

Graham Poll was the three card trick. Howard Webb did cause "controversy" by awarding a last minute penalty against Poland in the last group game of 08. Basically, the Polish guy was trying to swap shirts before the game ended and got pulled up for it. It's a decision that should happen more often but sadly doesn't.

No, video technology isn't the answer I don't think. Who determines what is controversial? What decisions do we stop it for? A goal line decision (the obvious one)? If it's a goal, yes fair enough. If not, how do you restart the game? Do we use it for the throw-in that was incorrectly handed to the other team that 3 minutes later led to a goal? An exaggeration I know but things to consider. The other factor a lot of people use is to look at Rugby or Cricket. Well football is a lot more free-flowing, movement, to stop the game every 30 seconds, is ridiculous. It would kill the movement, the expression, the passion, and turn it into something stop start, dull and more aimed at commercials, something like....like American football :)

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ConorC says on Apr 28, 2009, 16:01:

http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=77660173406&h=TTcac&u=Psupa

It's the City TV report on the match. Have to say, it does look a bit ridiculous and they are quite right to be a little bit angry at the penalty decision! And a red? It wasn't even a DOGSO!!!

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