tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33290030.post1868086466559427657..comments2023-09-28T01:58:33.466-07:00Comments on Sporting Madness: Earning the (re)cap: World Cup quarterfinalsAndrew Bucholtzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14156615450275929751noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33290030.post-88094278671201313732010-07-06T09:57:05.678-07:002010-07-06T09:57:05.678-07:00In the aftermath of Uruguay's victory over Gha...In the aftermath of Uruguay's victory over Ghana, much has been written about the hand ball by Luis Suarez that essentially allowed the South Americans a second life.<br />One article, by John Leicester of AP, decries the "blatant cheating" that goes on in soccer that either goes unpunished or isn't punished nearly enough.<br />He cites Suarez punishment for his hand ball...a red card and a one game suspension...as not nearly sufficient punishment for such a blatant offense.<br />He argues, Suarez should have been sent straight home, banished from the tournament.<br />On that count I agree.<br />However, Leicester lost me when he said "It would be wrong in the wake of Suarez's dishonesty to push FIFA for changes to the laws of the game so that referees could award goals that are illegally and deliberately blocked, even if they don't cross the line"....<br />Huh?<br />What?<br />You want punishment for blatant cheating?<br />Well, this is IT!<br />Clearly, there is a big difference between an inadvertent hand ball in the penalty area and a deliberate hand block of a shot on goal.<br />Currently, FIFA makes no distinction...in either case, it's a red card for the offending player and a spot kick.<br />But awarding a spot kick to a transgressed side when a certain goal was denied by a cheater offers a reprieve to the offending side that clearly is not deserved.<br />If a goal was denied by a hand ball, the goal should be awarded...period.<br />As long as the rule remains as it stands, there is no question a player in the position Suarez found himself in would do exactly the same.<br />Knock the ball down, fall on your sword for your country and pray to God the PK is missed.<br />But if a player knew that if he stood on the goal line and handled the ball a goal would be automatically this would cease forever.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com