JOHANNESBURG World football governing body FIFA this week slammed the referees who took charge of the Group B match between Argentina and Nigeria at Ellis Park last Saturday, for allowing Gabriel Heinzes sixth minute header to stand.
The Super Eagles, despite putting a spirited fight after the 60th minute introduction of star winger Peter Odemwingie, failed to claw their way back into the game, which they eventually lost to the South Americans 1-0, but FIFA says things could have been different had the German team of match officials followed football rules to the core.
In an analysis that will not help the Super Eagles cause, as the Nigerians have already lost three points, the FIFA referees committee said Tuesday that Argentina won thanks to the referees complacency, or connivance or ignorance or all, adding FIFA will penalise any further blockade by anyone, as victory must be earned.
FIFA severely criticised referee Wolfgang Stark and his assistants and compatriots Jan-Hendrik Salver and Mike Pikel for their decision not to give a foul for Walter Samuels obstruction in the build-up to Heinzes goal, which the left back headed home after coming to the end of a Juan Sebastian Veron corner kick. Argentina missed several gilt-edged chances on its way to a 1-0 victory, but according to FIFA, Stark should have disallowed the one attack that resulted in the solitary goal.
Our post-match analysis ruled that there was a foul in the build-up to Gabriel Heinzes stunning header, and that Stark should never have allowed the goal, read a FIFA referees committee statement released Tuesday afternoon. The committee released its findings as a guide for future judgments in this years tournament. And among other rulings, it made it clear to referees that they must watch for infractions at corners and free-kicks – specifically attacking players blocking markers, as it happened that day.
As Juan Sebastian Verons cross floated over Walter, Samuel enveloped Chinedu Obasi and stopped him from moving, thereby giving Heinze all the space he needed to propel the ball home.
Stark should therefore have penalised Samuel for obstruction and awarded a free-kick to the Super Eagles – a judgment that could have changed the course of the whole game for Argentina. Though the ruling came too late for Nigeria, it has interesting implications for the rest of the tournament. It is a sign that FIFA will not tolerate the pushing, shoving and holding commonplace on both sides at dead-ball situations, and that in future, such offences would be punished with either disallowed goals or penalties in the case of the defence committing an infraction.
Post published in: Zimbabwe Sports News