Tears Out of Africa
Posted on July 3rd, 2010 | by Rohan |
When ‘The Black Stars’ of Ghana met Uruguay in last night’s FIFA World Cup Quarter-Final, they not only represented the hopes of a country, but those of Africans worldwide.
No African team has ever reached the World Cup Semi-Final, and Ghana stood on the precipice of history. Moreover, in a continent where sport and politics too often go hand in hand – one only has to see the reaction of the Nigerian President to his nation’s elimination from South Africa 2010 – Ghana have won us all over with their refreshing approach both on and off the field, displaying a natural enjoyment and exuberance.
Of course, last night’s match will now take it’s place in World Cup folklore, or infamy, after a stunning, dramatic, and, some might say, controversial climax to Ghana’s campaign.
In summary, Ghana were denied a winning goal in the last minute of extra-time when Uruguay’s Luis Suarez handled a goal bound header on his own goal line. Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan missed the resultant penalty, and Ghana were subsequently defeated in the penalty shootout.
Now first and foremost, the referee got it absolutely and utterly correct. Suarez deliberately prevented a goal with foul play and was given a red card, and the penalty was given. Had Asamoah Gyan scored with the crucial spot kick, I may not be writing this particular post.
However, he did unfortunately miss it, and the final result certainly left a bitter taste in my mouth, as many who saw my Twitter Feed might attest.
Before I proceed, I would like to personally congratulate the Ghanaian players for the dignity with which they carried themselves in the most testing circumstances. This was recognised globally, and Nelson Mandela this morning sent a message to the squad, and a personal note to Asamoah Gyan.
What I found particularly distasteful was the sight of Suarez jumping around on the sideline in celebration after Gyan’s miss, and then being hoisted around like some hero by his team mates after the shootout. Excuse me for bringing it up, but my thought is that once you are sent off, you exit the playing arena, as former manager of Wycombe Wanderers, Lawrie Sanchez, will confirm from the famous footage of him watching the dying embers of an FA Cup Tie on a small television after being sent off.
As I said previously, I will not accuse Uruguay of cheating, because as the rules stand, they won correctly. However, in my sense of injustice, I could not help but think about the rules of my favoured sport, Rugby Union.
Had this been Rugby Union, have no doubt that Africa would have woken up to World Cup Semi-Finalists and, in my opinion, justice would have been served. Let me explain.
Whilst Rugby Union has Penalty Kicks in the same way that Association Football has Free Kicks and Penalties – and thankfully England have had a certain Jonathan Peter Wilkinson to kick them somewhat successfully over the years – Rugby also employs a rule which allows referees to award a Penalty Try. Below is an excerpt from Law 22, which was amended in 2004:-
“Foul play by the defending team. The referee awards a penalty try if a try would probably have been scored but for foul play by the defending team. The referee awards a penalty try if a try would probably have been scored in a better position but for foul play by the defending team.”
Now I am not advocating that we withdraw 12 yard spot-kicks and replace them with ‘penalty goals’ every time their is an infringement in the penalty area. We would either start having scores in double figures, or referees who never gave a foul in the 18 yard box.
However, where the foul play is as blatant as last night, why should referees not have it at their discretion to award a goal. I just feel that it would eliminate some of the distasteful gamesmanship which ruins the game at this level.
Would anyone at all have argued last night if the referee had been able to award a goal to Ghana? Even Uruguay could surely not have had any complaints. I was told as a youth that cheats do not prosper, but that felt hollow watching Suarez treated like a hero last night.
Even worse was to read this morning of Suarez’s gloating of being the new ‘Hand of God’. Equally sickening was hearing someone as respected as Gus Poyet talking after the match and trying to justify the actions of his countryman.
I regularly write about 3 sports other than Association Football – they are Lawn Tennis, Cricket and Rugby Union.
In cricket, if a batsman handles the ball to prevent it going on to his stumps, there is no warning, he is given out and it is a wicket to the other team.
In Tennis, the Umpire has the discretion to award points or the game to an opponent should a player perform any type of Code Violation. In fact, no less important a match than the 2009 US Open Ladies Final was decided when Serena Williams was disqualified for the use of abusive language to an official. Now that is, personally speaking, a terrific example to all sports, many of which are infested by icons who set the most terrible examples.
I have already spoken about the Penalty Try law, and it again gives the officials the opportunity to act in a way which has a decisive impact against a clear and blatant offence.
I do not for a minute expect that many will be in agreement with so radical a proposal. At the end of the day, we always respect traidition, and often are reluctant to challenge the status quo. The other comment that I always hear is that “it’s the same for both sides”!
My genuine opinion is that it is time for football to take a long hard look at itself, and time for FIFA to finally come into the 21st Century. And for those of you who would reasonably argue against my proposals, I leave you with two questions:-
How would you have felt this morning, had you been Ghanaian? Do you really think that justice was done? I suspect that you would have felt cheated and that question 2 answers itself. I look forward to all of your comments.
