world cup thread

[kandrathe]

Yeah, they have to do something about the fouling system. This is not really "a gentleman's game" now is it? The hockey style penalty box, or the basketball, free shot on goal, would help improve the lack of scoring problem, and there is need for a penalty for "bad acting".

I don't think it's really a problem with the foul rules. The head referee is asked to cover an awful lot of ground and make an awful lot of decisions. I think they are influenced by the player reactions because they just aren't in position to see everything that is going on. They could give warnings and then send people off for acting, but they have to be in position to see it and know for sure that's what is happening. And they'll be reluctant to award penalty kicks precisely so few goals are scored that it could swing the entire game. How are your going to run 50 yards in a few seconds and see whether someone who is rolling around on the field actually got cleated or not? And knowing if you send a player off or award a penalty kick, it may have a bigger effect on the outcome of the game than which is the best team?

Maybe more refs then (6 total), maybe 2 watching the goal areas, 2 watching the lines at midfield, and 2 watching the field from either side of the center line. Free throws, and fouling out players certainly affects how basketball is played.