Elizondo Chosen for Final (posted July 7th, 2006)

FIFA has made their choice for the Final in Berlin.  Argentina's Horacio Elizondo will be the man to ensure fair play when Italy and France kick off at 9pm at the Olympiastadion on Sunday.  It's a decision that I support as Elizondo and his crew have proven to be top-notch throughout the tournament.

Before the tournament began I thought that Germany's own Markus Merk would be there if the host country failed to make it to the finals, but after several mediocre performances in which he demonstrated himself to be overly-controlling in my opinion, FIFA has selected the South American-based crew. 

Now, I haven't agreed with every single one of Elizondo's decisions, but for the most part, he has allowed the games to flow while still maintaining the control that is necessary for players and spectators alike. 

For me, as someone who has dissected and often defended the referees' performances throughout most of the previous sixty-two matches, I feel somewhat vindicated.  When I earlier suggested that Elizondo might be one of the candidates being considered for this match, one person commented how little I know about World Cup history since the referee who officiated the opening match is rarely if ever chosen to work the final.  Clearly, this factoid (if it's even true) is irrelevant to FIFA as their primary consideration must be to ensure that the best team of officials is chosen for the task. 

But perhaps even more relevant, it is further proof, if you will, that Elizondo and his Assistant properly handled the highly controversial second goal in Switzerland's 2 - nil result over Korea.  Many people commented that they made an utter hash of this after I had explained in great detail that their decision was ultimately correct to allow the goal even though the Assistant's flag had been raised for a moment.  To the American viewing audience who were completely misled on this by announcer Tommy Smyth, perhaps they'll never fully understand why Elizondo and his Assistant were correct on this decision, but I suppose that's why referees and not commentators and/or soccer enthusiasts are chosen to officiate soccer matches.

It's true, I have for the most part defended the referees at this tournament, however, I have also been critical when I believed it was merited.  Too many people who don't really know what they're talking about love to taint the game with their own misconceptions about how the rules are to be interpreted.  Critics will always exist as long as judgement and human error come into play.  But for me, Elizondo and the vast majority of his colleagues have done an excellent job at this year's World Cup in Germany.

Were mistakes made?  You bet!  Were games decided, perhaps, by calls that were either incorrect or that YOU disagreed with?  Quite possibly.  But I suppose the only way to ever completely rid the game of such errors is to not play the games at all.  And I think that's something that none of us would like to contemplate.

It should also be mentioned that Japanese referee Toru Kamikawa has been rewarded for an excellent tournament by being selected to officiate the third-place match between Germany and Portugal.  Congratulations to him and to ALL of the refereeing crews who worked this year's World Cup Finals.  As someone who will never even come close to what they have achieved, I am somewhat familiar with the incredible sacrifice and dedication that they have given to this game.  And just knowing that you are included amongst the best in the world is an honor that few, if any, of us will ever achieve in ANYTHING throughout our lives.

Until Sunday...

peace,
ac

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I'm back! remember me? the person that said H.E wouldn't be the finals ref? Looks like you were right. I've said it. But, I still disagree with FIFA. They should have a video/television ref for the finals.
But what do I know?