I know that not many of you care, or even are aware of the current stirrings in the sport of soccer. But several of my friends have been complaining insistently about the officiating in the match between the Seattle Sounders and the LA Galaxy on Sunday. Here's the article one of them sent, and my response.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2009208860_sounders12.html
Yes, I agree that the quality of refereeing on Sunday was quite questionable. But I don't feel that the referee had any questionable intentions. I agree with the MLS Exec VP, he [the referee] is obviously experienced enough to get to this level and simply called a bad game. How often do we have bad days at the office? We're just fortunate that thousands if not millions of people are not scrutinizing ever split-second decision we make. This abstract variable in soccer (the decisions and judgments of the referee) has always been a part of the game that will never change. Yet, I call to your attention the possiblity of instant replay reviews. I distinctly remember during the match a remark made by the local commentary team regarding the implimentation of instant replay reviews into the sport. I for one initially feel that the sport is purer without the review factor.
The sport existed before the introduction of video cameras and, unlike other professional sports that also share this claim, soccer has remained largely unchanged since the cameras began rolling decades ago. More importantly, unlike other sports, it's largely uneffected by the introduction of television into the spectator end of the sport. There is something to be said about enjoying, as a spectator, a game that is rarely interrupted for extended periods of time. If every tackle inside the box, every questionable handball, every borderline offsides causes a stoppage of play for review where do we as spectators and appreciators of the sport end up?
Soccer is a sport whose results are dependent on quick execution, exploitation of weaknesses, resilience, smart plays, tenacity and endurance, sometimes a bit of luck, prayer and outright miracles, and yes on occasion a bad call or two. The result can swing in a matter of seconds, we've all been witness to these matches. But rather than dwindle and remain hung up on a result that yielded your team zero points or even lost a piece of silverware, is it not better to hold in regard the mystique, splendor, integrity and tradition of the sport itself? We must remember that the competition is eleven men, or women, against eleven and that the referee is the judge in the situation ensuring fair play, we (the live spectators and those watching through the cameras rolling on the sidelines) are simply the passive members of the equation. And while we like to feel as though we indeed have a direct influence on the outcome of the competition, our cheering is as far as our influence should extend. The influence of the cameras however, should remain entirely passive.
This is The Beautiful Game for a reason, it's steeped in legacy, tradition and history. Unforgettable calls, or lack thereof, have changed the game and made heroes that live in that history. The various soccer/football associations throughout the world will continue to monitor the performance of officials. They are aware of who the best judges in the world are. We are quick to forget well officiated matches, but linger on those few calls that are questionable or downright wrong and are quick to criticize those that judged these instances. Let's continue to put our trust in the officials to call the game as fairly as possible in order to maintain the sport's dignity and heritage.
Keep cheering and keep jeering (and go Sounders),
Eric
A defining moment in the sport: A call missed and a hero made.
No comments:
Post a Comment