UK Football

So, being without the Premiership, but still being hungry for football, you need somewhere to turn. Like most people I turned to the UEFA Euro 2008. So far it’s been fairly disappointing, although not for the football, but rather the officiating. Bad officiating absolutely ruins a match, and watching this tournament is making me wish the Premiership season would start all the more.

I’ve never seen a Ref get walked on so badly, as they have been in this tournament. Disgusting to watch, especially, as my chief example shows if you happened to catch the game, in the Italy v. Spain quarter-final. How many times did Luca Toni feign injury so that the Ref would stop play, taking away Spain’s attacking advantage, and allowing Italian players a free pass to move back into defensive positions. A Ref should never be able to stop play, except for when it’s an obvious serious injury or a head injury, like in the Premiership.

And when Luca Toni gets up after acting like he was on death’s door from being tackled, and then runs back into play completely fine two seconds later, that should tell you something Ref. Instead of stopping play every time he goes down and cries, maybe you could wait to blow the whistle and let Spain’s attack play out. You know, fair officiating, something that happens when you aren’t clearly in the Italians pockets.

Also worthy of note were Spain’s four penalties, in the same spot at the top left corner of the box, that all weren’t called. Despite the tackles against Silva, and Iniesta being incredibly obvious as fouls. The officials have been completely gun-shy about giving penalties this tournament, and it frustrates me. A penalty is a penalty, even if it’s the deciding goal in a huge match, take the scrutiny for your call, and award one when a player is savagely tackled in the box.

Sure it’s nice when the tournament has given very few penalties, and teams have earned most of their goals the old fashioned way. But when Italy can use lack of fair officiating as a crutch to take Spain all the way to extra-time and a shoot-out, something is wrong, seriously wrong.

Also remember yesterday’s game, when Germany clearly should have had a penalty when Lahm was completely taken out of play in the box. And as usual, nothing from the official.

I understand the need to garner attention by creating exciting matches, where the goals are happen more naturally, instead of resorting to penalties. I agree that games such as those are more exciting, but the fact of the matter is that a penalty should be awarded when a foul is committed in the box. Especially such obvious ones as I’ve witnessed through out Euro 2008. Otherwise it makes for disgusting football, as well as frustrating football to watch.

So, before I watch the Spain v. Russia semi, please Mr. Official, get it right.

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