Comment: In FIFA the goal is often about getting their ‘right’ result

The closure of the World Cup round of 16 games was as controversial as it was intense. The controversy began before the Last 16 kick-off and revolved around whether Foralin Balogun should have had his red card revoked under FIFA rules, and the political implications of allowing government pressure to impose governing body decisions directly related to the playing of the game. It raises many uncomfortable questions for all of FIFA and all aspects of its work.

But it’s not only FIFA’s off-field rule-makers who find themselves in dangerously deep waters. People who enforce the rules on the field have reached levels of conflict around the world that have never been seen in a World Cup.

It seems that from any angle you look at FIFA, the rules may or may not be rules, but rather a loose negotiable code, a means to a preferred end.

When that seems to translate into more decisions by match officials, and especially game-changing decisions by VAR officials, the sporting integrity of the entire tournament and its oversight by FIFA, is seriously shot.

This World Cup was promoted as an opportunity for sporting success, especially in the US – never mind that it was already a world game. But for those who have been living under a rock who have never seen this game, what should they do with the circumstances that seem to be biased to a common man.

Argentina’s comeback win over Egypt could not have been achieved without the intervention (and non-intervention) of the questionable VAR. It wasn’t just one decision, it was many wrong and game-changing decisions. If something walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s probably a duck. This duck was shouting ‘rigged’.

Egypt got a second goal but VAR called the game back about 100yds from Argentina’s goal line and the referee had won the match. They were shocked by the intervention of VAR officials who were conspicuous by their absence in this World Cup. Suddenly it seemed like they had a job to complete.

Egypt was then denied a clear penalty when the referee refused to go to VAR to check. He did the same when there was a clear foul before Argentina’s first goal. VAR is famous for its silence but the images that have been broadcasted around the world show its debauchery.

VAR also missed fouls in the penalty area by Argentina, a punch to Egypt’s face by an Argentinian player, and a deliberate cross on the Egyptian goalkeeper that would have deserved another red in normal circumstances.

But this was not normal. After the game, the Egyptian striker, Ziko, told the world media that: “The referee is unfair, God is enough and he is the best arbiter of matters.

The problem is that FIFA has its own God and it seems from his presence everywhere in the matches and the time he appears in the broadcasts, the message is that we all need to go along with the plan and worship him. Some do, most of them have a financial reason to do so. God of lies or the devil in disguise?

“Ordinary life, ordinary life is unfair, but why is there no fairness in sports?” said the coach of Egypt, Hossam Hassan. I am not satisfied with this result. I’m not satisfied with the way things turned out in this game. I don’t want to try to put it here in fancy words like ‘good luck’ and so on. We have been treated unfairly.

Is it possible to make many bad decisions in favor of the expected and popular result without making allegations that the whole show is fake? And remember, this is FIFA that likes to ‘rigg’ things, like the election of its God (earthly title, president).

The scene after the Egypt-Argentina match was surreal. Hassan was throwing around the word “rigged” and was asked by a reporter if his comments at Monday’s pre-match news conference in support of the Palestinians had prompted a match referee in Egypt. That probably didn’t help Egypt as this writer knows that FIFA’s general secretary told a former employee that FIFA is not sure that Palestine is a legitimate entity. Israel doesn’t think so either and has started erasing its own people to prove this point.

In terms of identification, the secretary-general is visually distinguished from the shiny-headed deity who leads the sect. He is seen in the pictures circulating with a goat.

England’s win was not the result that was recommended

Egypt were unlucky but England proved that no matter how tough the FIFA tournament is, the strict imposition of tournament rules (at least for some), as well as VAR and the official backstop of the game, can be overcome.

The game between England and World Cup hosts Mexico was always going to be a tight one, and the ground inside the Azteca (FIFA has another name for it) was always going to be a huge home advantage for Mexico. It is the iconic colosseum that makes the gladiatorial scene that has resulted in the killing of all visitors bar two in the last 80 years.

Insideworldfootball man at Azteca reported on two groups of fans who were united in their love of the game, the world cup and their national teams. It was a life-affirming reminder that this game is ours, not FIFA’s, and at the heart of it is unity and respect that no FIFA brand can cheat or claim as its own.

The July 5 game took just 15 minutes for the on-field antics to begin. England’s Nico O’Reilly responded with a sneaky elbow that led to a quick yellow card, Jude Bellingham was caught in a tackle on Mexico manager Javier Aguirre, and then the odd foul here and there continued back and forth.

Both of these management bodies were on their feet, involved and seemed to be working throughout. England turned the game around during Mexico’s pressure which saw a quick counter attack net a Bellingham goal. Less than a few minutes later Bellingham doubled the lead from Mexico. The stadium was in awe.

Less than 5 minutes after England took the lead, Mexico won a soft ball which led to England breaking in half. A mistake that can only be pointed out by a referee who wants to make things interesting.

Those first 15 minutes set the stage for what would turn out to be a hard-fought battle in a contest that could not be more intense. It was a credit to the players and coaching staff alike that, for the most part, they held their nerve and kept ball to ball which led to some amazing moments from England and some solid moments of play from Mexico.

The second half however would not be without some controversy, with VAR coming in as the third, and perhaps most dramatic, actor in the game.

The game was changed and leveled with Mexico with a red card early in the second half for Jarrell Quansah whose tackle saw his sticks miss the ball but his calf raised his foot from a high contact which led to a high bounce. The decision taken on the field was that it was a good fight and play started again.

This was done just a few yards from the Mexican team bench, leading to a reaction that could only be compared to the noise from the 70,000 Mexican fans who sang their national anthem before kick-off. The England assistant coach quickly left the England bench to join the circus that took place around the 4th official.

Mayhem followed Guillermo Ochoa pushing the England assistant, both benches were cleared and the referee struggled to control the situation.

Suddenly FIFA’s VAR opportunity, and boy did they take it, they stepped in with the game-changing decision of Quansah’s red card. Undoubtedly the right decision but one that will have VAR comparisons with what followed in the Egyptian game.

Less than 20 minutes later, VAR stepped in to change the course of the game again. A cross in the England box saw Harry Kane tackle Gutierrez. A challenge that not even the 70,000 Mexican fans were interested in but they were awarded a penalty to get them back into the game.

The quality of the football and the amazing nature of the game did not disappoint. The two teams left the dark arts to one side and used the necessary tactical adjustments after each important VAR decision that completely changed the game.

Subplots and sideshows abounded as the referees looked for ways to reward the Mexicans. One viral clip shows Javier Aguirre calling out to Anthony Gordon during stoppage time, shouting ‘Gordon’. Gordon turned to meet Aguirre who followed up with a ‘F*** You’ smile. Aguirre followed with his smile.

The quality of the games was top notch. Jordan Henderson, who was parachuted into the England squad because of his experience, presence and leadership, spent the last 20 minutes of the match as an 11-man absentee. In the warm-up area, it’s just stretching but more involved and perhaps comparable to the first base coach of a baseball game. In the incident of throwing the ball, Henderson received a yellow card.

The final tragedy came as the 4th official announced 11 minutes of injury time. The shock in the stadium entered all 80.000+ fans and the same disbelief with different emotions. That extended to 13 minutes before the final whistle. It was as if the referee was counting corners instead of minutes. Go ahead, have the last chance…

After the result, post-match discussions highlighted feelings about ongoing VAR results and controversial refereeing on the pitch.

The coach of England, Thomas Tuchel, said that the referees were not satisfied with the appointment of referees from South America. Short code for ‘they were bent’. Harry Kane has had little impact on refereeing decisions against England. He didn’t need to use the point but it needed to be raised.

A historic game that will be remembered for years to come for the right reasons, yet questions and highlights remain for FIFA, VAR and the referee (bad or crooked?).

As we enter the quarter finals, you can wonder what’s next. King Charles maybe going back to the conference to complain about Quansah’s red card?

If England and Argentina both win the quarter-finals they will meet in the semi-finals in Atlanta. That makes for a potentially interesting matchup of 6ft 8inch Dan Burn against 5ft 7inch Lionel Messi. You can pretty much guarantee that FIFA will legislate this kind of blatant inequity, and it will likely work in their favor for the endless promotion of the GOAT.

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