Canada 3-4 USA (AET) - London 2012 Olympic Women's Football, Semi-Final (6th August 2012)

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Permalink Reply by 2xehxtxemyk65 on August 8, 2012 at 5:56

In the group match between Canada and Japan, a Canadian player committed a serious foul early on. Unexpectedly, the referee did not book her but spoke to her severely. What happens on the pitch stays on the pitch, but we interpreted it that the referee explained to the player that she would send her off for the next foul and please could the young lady tell her team-mates. 

   In the other semi-final, Ms Renard committed a foul early on. She got away with a yellow card but continued to live dangerously for a while, but eventually calmed down.

   One of the reasons that cards are rarely appealed is that an appeal allows the disciplinary body to increase the punishment, not just to reject the appeal. Frivolous appeals are subject to particular censure. It could be argued that more post-match disciplinary action should be taken with regards to fouls etc, for the safety of players. Playing football is associated with risks. It is the duty of the team captains to keep their players in line.

   If the words you quote are correct, Gromit, then it is difficult for the disciplinary committee not to take some action. 

Gromit said:

Yesterday, Canada-USA was broadcast live on France 4. The two commentators - including former PSG's GK Jérôme Alonso who is known for his outspokeness and who was a liitle bit pro-US at the beginning - said several times that they were finding the refeering "rather strange" (I quote). "Rather strange" meaning, according to them, with strange decisions in favour of US's team. And particularly this famous free-kick in the Penalty area (Alonso knows about the topic, he was one of the best French keeper) and the following penalty. Same thing for O'Reilly's assault on the Canadian player and who was not booked . A foul was not even whistled...

I('ve just read Christine Sinclair's words : "

"Obviously, we're disappointed and upset. We felt that the referee took it away from us, so, yes, we are disappointed," Canada captain Sinclair said.
"We feel like we didn't lose, we feel like it was taken from us. It's a shame in a game like that, which is so important, that the ref decided the result before the game started."
Sinclair was furious over the awarding of the penalty.
"She (the referee) actually giggled and said nothing. Classy. In an important match it's a disappointment that the referee had such an impact on it. We feel cheated," she said.

I do hope that Canada will not give up in its protestations because it's Women's Football's credibility that is concerned. Once more - it's very, very important to repeat it again - it's not a question of refeering mistakes. It's something else. Much more serious.

Permalink Reply by David Peak on August 8, 2012 at 6:49

I can't believe that Fifa would punish Canada. It would really be in Fifa's best interests to do absolutely nothing at all – to just let the matter quietly fade away. They always feel they have to defend the referee, but in this case they would be defending the indefensible. If they have any sense at all(?) they'll just let the matter drop. To do otherwise would just fan the flames and make the incident even larger. Maybe there are some sensible souls at Fifa who live in the real world and know that to punish Canada would defy all notions of natural justice.

But if history is a guide, a likely outcome is that Canada is fined... and said referee, Christiana Pedersen is then censured and warned as to her future conduct – but this being done behind closed doors so we'll never know.

Permalink Reply by 2xehxtxemyk65 on August 8, 2012 at 7:38

A heart-warming and in retrospect amusing incident played out yesterday in the Olympic men´s high jump final:

   http://auburnpub.com/sports/olympics/blog/russian-high-jumper-loses...

Briefly, the Russian jumper who eventually won the gold, had mislaid his competition shirt with its number. He was desperately rummaging through his kit bag trying to find it. The official went up to him pointed to him to put on a tee-shirt lying there and his reserve number. Then he started the clock. The Russian cleared the height. The official could instead have started the clock and told the jumper to get his kit on and that it was his problem that he had managed to lose his competition shirt. The official used his judgement.

   As you write, the likely outcome is for a compromise to be found but FIFA cannot be seen to be doing nothing, not just because Canada are to host the next ladies´ world cup but because in the overall picture of male and female football this unfortunate matter matters. If the FA can fine and ban Sir Alex Ferguson and take action against players, the Canadian FA needs to settle its differences with FIFA.

David Peak said:

I can't believe that Fifa would punish Canada. It would really be in Fifa's best interests to do absolutely nothing at all – to just let the matter quietly fade away. They always feel they have to defend the referee, but in this case they would be defending the indefensible. If they have any sense at all(?) they'll just let the matter drop. To do otherwise would just fan the flames and make the incident even larger. Maybe there are some sensible souls at Fifa who live in the real world and know that to punish Canada would defy all notions of natural justice.

But if history is a guide, a likely outcome is that Canada is fined... and said referee, Christiana Pedersen is then censured and warned as to her future conduct – but this being done behind closed doors so we'll never know.

Permalink Reply by David Peak on August 8, 2012 at 9:13

Another point: Feelings are running pretty high in Canadian circles – quite rightly they have a strong sense of grievance and injustice. Would Fifa wish to alienate the Canadian authorities even further in view of Canada's hosting the next Women's World Cup? I think maybe not.

Permalink Reply by 2xehxtxemyk65 on August 8, 2012 at 9:39

Should Canada decline to host the World Cup, FIFA may chose to offer it to Japan?

David Peak said:

Another point: Feelings are running pretty high in Canadian circles – quite rightly they have a strong sense of grievance and injustice. Would Fifa wish to alienate the Canadian authorities even further in view of Canada's hosting the next Women's World Cup? I think maybe not.

Permalink Reply by Julia Bic on August 8, 2012 at 20:34

The Canadian women’s soccer team will head into the Olympic bronze medal game against France with a full roster.

FIFA, announced today that it will not render a decision on its investigation into post-match incidents involving the Canada team until after it plays France in Thursday’s bronze-medal game.

Permalink Reply by Women's Soccer United on August 8, 2012 at 20:43

Thank you for the update Julia :)

Julia Bic said:

The Canadian women’s soccer team will head into the Olympic bronze medal game against France with a full roster.

FIFA, announced today that it will not render a decision on its investigation into post-match incidents involving the Canada team until after it plays France in Thursday’s bronze-medal game.

Permalink Reply by Gromit on August 8, 2012 at 21:09

Good news. I would have hated to support Les Bleues against a diminished Canadian team.

Julia Bic said:

The Canadian women’s soccer team will head into the Olympic bronze medal game against France with a full roster.

FIFA, announced today that it will not render a decision on its investigation into post-match incidents involving the Canada team until after it plays France in Thursday’s bronze-medal game.

Permalink Reply by 2xehxtxemyk65 on August 8, 2012 at 21:35

Diplomacy. Politics is the art of the possible. Let´s trust it is an exciting final.

Gromit said:

Good news. I would have hated to support Les Bleues against a diminished Canadian team.

Julia Bic said:

The Canadian women’s soccer team will head into the Olympic bronze medal game against France with a full roster.

FIFA, announced today that it will not render a decision on its investigation into post-match incidents involving the Canada team until after it plays France in Thursday’s bronze-medal game.

Permalink Reply by Sylvain on August 8, 2012 at 21:48

When referee get told off, there is no notification but it happens. Back in 2011, Bussca sent van Persie off against Barcelona for a trivial offence which was obvioulsy wrong, he didnt get any Europa or Champions league game after that one and retired at the end of the season. So referees get punished but FIFA/UEFA dont say it publicly, you need to find it yourself lol. Look around in the next UEFA round of Euro qualifiers in September if she gets a game or not.

David Peak said:

I can't believe that Fifa would punish Canada. It would really be in Fifa's best interests to do absolutely nothing at all – to just let the matter quietly fade away. They always feel they have to defend the referee, but in this case they would be defending the indefensible. If they have any sense at all(?) they'll just let the matter drop. To do otherwise would just fan the flames and make the incident even larger. Maybe there are some sensible souls at Fifa who live in the real world and know that to punish Canada would defy all notions of natural justice.

But if history is a guide, a likely outcome is that Canada is fined... and said referee, Christiana Pedersen is then censured and warned as to her future conduct – but this being done behind closed doors so we'll never know.

Permalink Reply by Gromit on August 8, 2012 at 21:51

Totally agree.

On the other side, I think that Canadians will be sanctioned by FIFA. No need to say that would be a shame.

Sylvain said:

When referee get told off, there is no notification but it happens. Back in 2011, Bussca sent van Persie off against Barcelona for a trivial offence which was obvioulsy wrong, he didnt get any Europa or Champions league game after that one and retired at the end of the season. So referees get punished but FIFA/UEFA dont say it publicly, you need to find it yourself lol. Look around in the next UEFA round of Euro qualifiers in September if she gets a game or not.

Permalink Reply by 2xehxtxemyk65 on August 8, 2012 at 22:13

Verily, referees who make grevious errors tend to vanish from the stage.

   On your other point, I respectfully disagree. FIFA is leaving the door ajar for the Canadians. The first law of politics is (at least in English): "When you are in a hole, stop digging!" Their next step ought to play a top-notch match against France, if only to help with the PR.

   (It might also help if someone kindly points out to them that the Premier league turns over more than the NHL and that the Bundesliga is more profitable than the Premier league and that there are several countries with the infrastructure to stage the next world cup.) 

Gromit said:

Totally agree.

On the other side, I think that Canadians will be sanctioned by FIFA. No need to say that would be a shame.

Sylvain said:

When referee get told off, there is no notification but it happens. Back in 2011, Bussca sent van Persie off against Barcelona for a trivial offence which was obvioulsy wrong, he didnt get any Europa or Champions league game after that one and retired at the end of the season. So referees get punished but FIFA/UEFA dont say it publicly, you need to find it yourself lol. Look around in the next UEFA round of Euro qualifiers in September if she gets a game or not.

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