Only two of the "big names" will start. One is Benito Archundia (MEX), who'll ref Paraguay-Italy. He had also ref'd Italy in the 2006 semifinal against Germany, doing a fairly good job. That year, he shares the record for most games refereed with the Argentine Helizondo. The latter, now retired, had ref'd the final among much controversy for ejecting Zidane, supposedly after being told by an assistant who had seen the replay on live TV (if you didn't know, any form of instant replay is strictly forbidden in football, a rule itself under much scrutiny).
The other big name is Howard Webb (ENG), who just excellently refereed the Champions League final. He will be in charge of Spain-Switzerland, a fairly easy game. Finally, Carlos Simon (BRA) will take England-USA, easily the most anticipated game of the group stage... well, at least by the Americans.
More later on the latest injuries and what the press has begun to call the "captains' curse"... since after Ferdinand, Pirlo, Drogba, Ballack, and Essien, now also Robben and Mikel have added themselves to an ever-longer injury list!
Edit: for a full list of all the WC referees and their assistants, see this document.
1 comments:
The English media has already begun griping about Carlos Simon, the ref for US-England.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/teams/england/7807031/World-Cup-2010-controversial-Carlos-Simon-to-referee-England-v-USA-group-match.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jun/06/england-world-cup-2010-referee
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2010/article-1284483/England-v-USA-ref-Carlos-Eugenio-Simon-week-corruption-ban.html
I am glad to say that the US soccer media and blogosphere has done relatively little complaining, and more reporting of the whine already ushering from England. Despite the US's trouble with harsh cards, US fans are trying to encourage the team to be less careless and more responsible.
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