World Cup Final 2010: Mixed Signals and Expected Teamwork

This post takes a look at what transpired during the “nervy” few minutes leading up to the kick-off of the 2010 World Cup Final match. Oftentimes, it is easy to overlook this almost “surreal, twilight” moment. However, lots of information directly related to the next 90-120 minutes can be gleaned by observing the body language and facial expressions of the match officials at this time.

[England’s Referee Trio with their World Cup Final medals. But where is Japan’s Yuichi Nishimura, the 4th official? Is he “lost in translation”? Pic from Reuters.]

Let's go back to the very beginning ...

THE COIN TOSS
The following are a series of freeze frames that show the behaviour of the match officials immediately prior to kick-off.

[The match officials are, from left to right, Mike Mullarkey (AR2), Howard Webb (R), Yuichi Nishimura (4th) and Darren Cann (AR1). Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Orange) is Holland captain and Iker Casillas (Green) is Spain captain.]

[The coin toss is won by Spain’s Casillas, who indicates his choice of ends by pointing with his finger to his chosen end.]

With Spain having chosen ends, it is obvious that Holland have the kick-off. But here’s where Howard Webb gives off mixed signals or confusing messages:

[Webb turns to van Bronckhorst to tell him something, and uses a one-finger gesture. It is not clear that Webb has told van Bronckhorst that Holland has the kick-off.]

[Webb turns back to Casillas and uses both hands to make a round gesture of a “ball”. Is he telling Casillas that Spain has the kick-off?]

So what does a one-finger gesture mean to a captain whose team has the kick-off?
And what does a “round gesture using both hands” mean to a captain who has won the coin toss and chosen ends?


COMPLETION OF THE COIN TOSS
With the completion of the coin toss, the two team captains shake hands and Howard Webb simply walks away from the group. The English ARs stand there, ignoring the 4th Official, waiting only to shake hands with the two team captains. The Japanese 4th Official looks completely lost and alone. For a moment, Nishimura even looks around expecting something from the ARs. Where’s the team support and signs of encouragement?
[NOTE: Perhaps the officials eventually shook hands with each other later prior to kick-off but if so, this was missed by the TV cameras.]

[Webb walks away from the group without saying anything or giving a final handshake to his team. Nishimura looks isolated and uncomfortable.]

[This frame shows that Holland has the kick-off, which means Spain won the coin toss and selected the ends. Why then did Webb make a round ball gesture with his hands to Spain’s Casillas?]

This pre-kick-off incident may appear trivial and unimportant, but HKRef believes it may have some direct relevance on how the match unfolded for the match officials.

Are we seeing clear communication or mixed signals from the match officials?

Are we seeing group cohesiveness or individuals lost in their own thoughts?

It is obvious that the England trio is a tight unit (because they have worked together for a number of years), but they appear insensitive to Nishimura’s status as the 4th Official. Can they communicate clearly with him, or is there a cultural or language barrier present?

This begs the question: Will there be teamwork, free communication, support and encouragement?

Such questions and observations will be referenced in HKRef’s analysis of the second half (plus extra time) of the 2010 World Cup Final match.

An analysis of the first half is posted here.


More to follow …

Puzzled by Poll

Graham Poll has come out in defence of Howard Webb’s performance during the 2010 World Cup Final between the Netherlands and Spain … but his reasoning is faulty. Poll’s reason for supporting Webb is puzzling, and demonstrates an unhealthy bias towards his refereeing colleague and fellow countryman.

[Graham Poll and Howard Webb. Pics from BBC Sport.]

Poll has correctly acknowledged that Webb did not apply the Laws of the Game appropriately. Two incidents that come to mind are the non-decisions to send off Mark van Bommel in the 22nd minute for serious foul play (a tackle on Andres Iniesta from behind), and Nigel de Jong in the 29th minute for violent conduct (putting his studs into the chest of Xabi Alonso). These incidents of misconduct are covered in the LOTG, so it would be interesting to uncover what Webb’s take on them were.

However, Poll has incorrectly taken the view that the reason Webb did not apply the LOTG appropriately was because Webb was worried about the media headlines and the lack of support he would get from FIFA after the match. Here are Poll’s exact words:

1) We should look at why all referees feel so hamstrung when faced with having to take strict disciplinary actions at any high-level match - let alone the World Cup final.

2) The laws of football are in place to enable referees to deal strongly with the anti-football tactics used by the Dutch to stifle Spanish creativity. No new ones would need to be introduced to punish tackles which endanger the safety of opponents.

3) Had Van Persie been shown a yellow card in the first minute and three Dutch players been dismissed in the first half hour, what would the headlines have been - 'Ref madness mars final'?

4) When players surrounded Webb, as they did all too frequently, had he cautioned all of them, as the law allows, what would the reaction have been?

What Poppycock from Poll! Poll’s reasoning is flawed … in so many ways. Here’s why:

Firstly, Poll has removed emphasis on Webb’s decision by grouping Webb with ALL referees and claiming that ALL referees feel “so hamstrung” when faced with taking strict disciplinary action.
This is an irrelevant argument because the focus should be on Webb’s decision NOT to send off players involved in serious foul play and violent conduct during the World Cup Final. We are not here to debate or discuss what ALL referees “feel”. We are here to comment on Webb’s performance.

Secondly, Poll has removed emphasis on Webb’s decision by stating: “no new laws need to be introduced to punish tackles which endanger the safety of opponents”.
Again, this is an irrelevant argument, and attempts to misdirect. We are not here to comment on any changes to the LOTG, but on Webb’s performance in applying the LOTG appropriately.

Thirdly, Poll hypothetically asks: “had van Persie been shown a yellow card in the first minute and three Dutch players been dismissed in the first half hour, what would the headlines have been?”
This is another irrelevant argument and an appeal to ignorance (because there is a lack of evidence to support what Poll has claimed). This is particularly surprising because Poll has previously used the counter-claim many times in his newspaper column that a first caution will affect and modify the behaviour of individual players and also teams (i.e. if players are on a caution they will try not to put themselves in situations that could result in a second caution, while other players will also know that the referee has drawn a line).

Other people (including HKRef) could hypothetically say that: “had van Persie been shown a yellow card in the first minute, then Webb would have immediately stamped his authority on the game which would have made the Dutch players rethink their approach to dangerous tackling with excessive force”. At least this argument has some evidence to support it: that is, consider the actions of the previous two World Cup Finals referees (Pierluigi Collina in 2002 and Horacio Elizondo in 2006) and how they immediately stamped their authority on their respective matches.

Furthermore, since when have referees been “influenced” by future media headlines? If Poll genuinely believes referees are concerned about future media headlines so that it significantly impacts the way they referee, then he is in the minority. Poll’s negative experience with his “three card trick” (i.e. giving three yellow cards to the same player in a World Cup match in 2006) may now be hovering over him like a dark cloud; so much so that Poll is now forced to consider the media’s position, especially since he now works in the media industry too.

A referee—whether a lowly parks referee or one who officiates the World Cup Final—must perform his duties without fear or favour, with integrity and to the best of his ability. Thoughts about the consequences, particularly towards future media headlines and to FIFA’s “wrath”, should be furthest from the mind of the referee.

Fourthly, Poll claims that when players surrounded Webb: “had he cautioned all of them, as the law allows, what would the reaction have been?”
As a former referee, Poll knows in such situations, if a caution is warranted, then referees will normally issue one or at most two (one for each team) yellow cards. The same principle is used when cautioning troublesome players in a wall—only one player, usually the nearest one, is cautioned. Whoever heard of top referees cautioning "all of them"? Therefore, it is disingenuous for Poll to claim Webb would not caution all of the players because as referees we already know this is not the standard practice. Of course referees would not caution all players (but the non-refereeing public may not know this). Poll’s argument is therefore faulty, and totally disingenuous.


The advice given to Howard Webb by experienced referees (or mentors), such as Pierluigi Collina, Horacio Elizondo, Bob Evans and Ed Bellion was to approach the match as normally as possible … and this includes refereeing the match as normally as possible. Webb obviously knows how to referee without fear or favour, with integrity and to the best of his ability. So why didn’t Webb follow the LOTG? Were last-minute instructions handed down to him (from FIFA or by the FIFA Referees Committee?) requesting that he best keep all players on the field of play, no matter what? If so, his normal approach to refereeing has been changed.

Webb’s comments appear to indicate that the concern to keep all players on the field of play took precedence over the LOTG.

"We don't feel that we had much choice except to manage the game in the way we did. From early on in the match we had to make decisions that were clear yellow cards. We tried to apply some common sense officiating given the magnitude of the occasion for both sides - advising players early on for some of their tackling, sending players away when they were surrounding the officials, and speaking to their senior colleagues to try to calm them down. It is one of the toughest games we will ever be involved in and we feel that we worked hard to keep the focus on the football as much as possible."

However, there is no need to change anything, or to give special treatment to players just because it is a World Cup Final. The referee should first and foremost follow the LOTG, and after that he is free to use his personality and “common sense officiating” to take care of “grey areas” that are not specifically covered by the LOTG. That should be the order of officiating.


As referees, we have to recognize any potential bias and remove (and be seen to remove) ourselves from any conflicts of interest. Once we can do this, it should be clear that:

a) The English media and English referees (e.g. Graham Poll, Keith Hackett, Dermot Gallagher, Jack Taylor) are biased in favour of Howard Webb; and

b) The Dutch media and Dutch players are biased against Howard Webb.


HKRef would like to see a more balanced and neutral assessment of Howard Webb’s performance in the 2010 World Cup Final.

If a balanced and neutral assessment cannot be obtained easily, then there is something seriously wrong and “Respect for Football (Soccer), Responsible Refereeing, and Rational Reflections” (HKRef’s Triple Hope for Refereeing) will be lost.

How Does a Referee Prepare for a World Cup Final?

This post takes a look at Match Preparation for Referees.

Three days before the World Cup Final on Sunday 11 July 2010—when FIFA announced its appointment of England referee trio Howard Webb and his two assistants Darren Cann and Mike Mullarkey to officiate—there was plenty of good advice forthcoming. Referees are used to receiving advice and learning from experienced referees (or mentors); and the really smart ones take good advice to heart.

[English Trio: Mike Mullarkey, Howard Webb and Darren Cann. Pic from Getty Images.]

Let’s see what sagely advice some experienced referees publicly gave to Howard Webb:

[Pierluigi Collina. Pic from Reuters.]

Pierluigi Collina (Italy) advised:

"Be prepared – getting all the information possible about the teams – be self-confident and approach the match as a normal match, or at least in a normal way. Don't change anything because it is the World Cup final."

"The pressure in the World Cup final is very high but if you are there it is because you are very good, no other reason. But, on the other hand, you know that if something happens wrong, everything you did in the past probably doesn't matter. It vanishes. It's all about those 90 minutes. But I am sure that will not be the case. I wish him an outstanding day."

Collina refereed the 2002 World Cup Final between Germany and Brazil. The match finished 0-2, and there were only two yellow cards. Collina did what he had to do (stamped his authority) and cautioned Junior (Brazil) and Klose (Germany) in the 6th and 9th minutes, respectively. After that, the tone of the match was set.


Horacio Marcelo Elizondo (Argentina) advised:

“Enjoy it. He’ll be living his dream and he’ll be lucky enough to make it come true. I’d tell [Webb] to go about his work calmly and without fear, because at the end of the day it’s just another game. As soon as he starts making decisions he’ll start to feel better and begin enjoying the experience.”

“Every referee dreams about going to the World Cup and to make it is a big achievement in itself. If you then get the chance to go on and take charge of the Final, you feel as if you’re the world champion.”

Elizondo refereed the 2006 World Cup Final between France and Italy. The match finished 1-1 after extra time, with three yellow cards and one red card. Italy went on to win 5-3 on penalties. Elizondo quickly stamped his authority with cautions to Zambrotta (Italy) and Sagnol (France) in the 5th and 12th minutes, respectively. The match’s most memorable moment was Zidane’s headbutt into Materazzi’s chest, which Elizondo correctly awarded a red card for violent conduct in the 110th minute.

[Elizondo and Zindane. Pic from AFP.]

Furthermore, Bob Evans and Edward Bellion (in HKRef’s humble opinion, two of the most insightful refereeing minds, and co-authors of the best refereeing book to date) advised Howard Webb to prepare thoroughly and to anticipate likely scenarios. They confidently predicted that:
a) Holland would “rely on disruptive play and fouls to stymie their opponents”, so Webb should pay special attention to Mark van Bommel, Gregory van der Wiel and Nigel de Jong;
b) Simulation may occur, and that Arjen Robben is a likely practitioner; and
c) Both teams favour the quick free kick, so Webb should be alert to any delaying tactics by both teams.

“We are sure Howard Webb will also be doing his homework, and the first 10-15 minutes will be critical to see if these predictions materialize, and to see if he recognizes them and deals with them. If he does, we will have a good game. If not, there could be problems. Our money is on the former, and we wish him well in the match.”

So did Howard Webb take to heart the good advice handed down to him?

Here’s how Webb answered in response to a question about preparing for the biggest game of his career.

“It is a huge game and the pinnacle of our careers but we need to prepare as normally as possible. The game will still last 90 minutes or maybe two hours, we'll still have 22 players and one ball. We will eat at the same time as normal, have some good rest like before a Champions League game, but what we will do is visit the stadium. We have been to Soccer City but only as spectators so we would like to walk the field of play the day before and visualise some situations that might happen. These guys will have a look on their touchline, on the surface and visualise themselves running the line. I'll walk the diagonal that I'll mainly patrol. We did this before the Champions League final and it just makes you comfortable in your surroundings.”

Unfortunately, this response did not exactly reveal his in-depth match preparations. HKRef would be more interested in how Webb used his two full days to prepare (and perhaps he had even longer to prepare, assuming he analyzed the quarterfinal and semifinal matches in the time leading up to the announcement on 8 July?).


THE MATCH ITSELF
The following incidents occurred during the first half of the 2010 World Cup Final match between the Netherlands and Spain on Sunday 11 July 2010 in South Africa.


Missed Opportunity to Stamp His Authority?
In the 2nd minute, Webb had the opportunity to caution Robin van Persie (Holland) for a reckless tackle on Sergio Busquets (Spain). He didn't. That could have stamped his authority and set the tone of the match. Instead, Webb decided to publicly warn van Persie.

Further fouls appeared and eventually cautions were meted out in the 14th (Robin van Persie, Holland) and 16th minutes (Carles Puyol, Spain). However, disruptive play continued in addition to dangerous tackles flying in.

[In the 14th minute, Robin van Persie slides into Joan Capdevila. He is finally cautioned and Webb's initial warning 12 minutes before to van Persie was obviously not heeded. Pic from AFP/Getty Images.]

[One example of disruptive play: Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Holland) on Pedro (Spain). Pic from Reuters. Amazingly, Dirk Kuyt (far right) was one of only three Dutch players in the starting eleven who did NOT receive a caution.]

In the 22nd minute, van Bommel tackled Andres Iniesta from behind. This could and should have been a red card, but Webb only cautioned van Bommel. Again, this sent out a message to the players that the referee was permitting these tough and nasty challenges.

[Mark van Bommel tackling behind and through Andres Iniesta, for which he only received a yellow card. Pics from AFP/Getty Images and AP.]

In the 29th minute, Nigel de Jong (Holland) stabbed his studs into the chest of Xabi Alonso (Spain), but Webb only cautioned de Jong. By now, the players understood that “full all-out warfare” was on the cards, since the referee took a lenient stance. Players were simply taking each other out, disrupting play, which ultimately prevented any show of quality football. If Howard Webb believed his decisions (i.e. not to send off any players) were for the “good of the game” by allowing free-flowing football, then the outcome of the players’ actions (i.e. disrupting play) is a clear indictment against this.

[Nigel de Jong takes no prisoners as he stamps his studs into Xabi Alonso.]

Nigel De Jong Vs Xabi Alonso Kung Fu Fighting *better quality*



In the 33rd minute, Spain keeper Iker Casillas collides with teammate Puyol when catching the ball. Casillas throws the ball into touch at the halfway line so that Puyol could receive treatment. At the restart, Holland take the throw-in and kick the ball back to Casillas. However, the ball bounces unexpectedly fast and surprises Casillas who just manages to touch the ball with his fingertips as it goes out for a corner kick. The resulting corner is quickly taken by van Persie, with the aim of returning the ball back to Spain. But, the ball was placed outside the corner arc.

In the 43rd minute, Wesley Sneijder makes a reckless challenge on Sergio Busquets in his groin area. But Webb did not caution Sneijder.

In the 45th minute, van Bommel runs into the back of Webb and then pushes Webb in the back with his hands. Subsequently van Bommel is seen shouting at Webb for getting in his way.
[NOTE: this incident should have given Webb a wake-up call just before half-time. It was a clear indication of how poorly Webb was man-managing van Bommel (already on a caution) and the rest of the players on the field of play. The players were perhaps not respecting Webb because they sensed he was lenient and hesitant in stamping his authority.]

In the 45th +1st minute, AR Mike Mullarkey signals offiside against Holland. This appeared to be premature, and did not follow the "wait and see" principle.
[Edit: having reviewed this incident, Mike Mullarkey got this offside spot on. Dirk Kuyt was offside.]

At half-time, BBC Sport's Mark Lawrenson commented:

"The players are really not making this easy for Howard Webb are they?"

HKRef’s thoughts at half-time were the opposite to Lawro’s: that is, Webb has not made this easy for the players.


More to follow ...

Food For Thought: Fabio Capello On Mistakes

The following incident occurred during the World Cup group match between England and USA on Saturday 12 June 2010. The match finished 1—1.

[England's Robert Green fumbles the ball to gift USA a goal. Pic courtesy Getty Images]

On Robert Green's goalkeeping blunder, England coach said Capello:

We have to accept the mistakes of the keeper in football, just like we have to accept the mistakes of the referees or the forwards.

On reflection, just how easy is it for the media, fans, players, managers and commentators to "accept the mistakes" of referees compared with those made by football players?

2010 World Cup Underway: AFC Match Officials Start

On the first day of the World Cup, the first and second matches were officiated by referee trios from the AFC.

The first match between hosts South Africa and Mexico was officiated by Ravshan IRMATOV (Uzbekistan) and assistant referees Rafael ILYASOV (UZB) and Bahadyr KOCHKAROV (KGZ).

[Uzbek referee Ravshan Irmatov. Pic courtesy AFP]

The second match between France an Uruguay was officiated by Yuichi NISHIMURA (Japan) and assistant referees Toru SAGARA (JPN) and Hae Sang JEONG (KOR).

[Referee Yuichi Nishimura checks which card he has shown ... and then follows it up with a red card (below)]

[The first red card of the 2010 World Cup went to Uruguay's Lodeiro for a second caution]

Foul and Abusive [English] Language

One consequence of the overblown media circus surrounding England is the reaction and response from the general football community towards England’s actions. The latest reaction is news that World Cup referees, who are not native English speakers, are learning English swear words (see below).

FIFA spokesman Alex Stone is quoted as saying:

“There was no requirement for referees to know obscenities in languages other than English.”

Part of the fun in learning about different cultures is the local use of colourful obscenities, otherwise why travel if not to help broaden one’s knowledge?

[England's Wayne Rooney hurling an "English obscenity" at the referee, earlier this week. Pic courtesy Michael Regan/Getty Images]

World Cup referees learning English swear words (Associated Press)

Thu Jun 10, 2010

The Brazilian referee and his assistants who will work the England-United States match at the World Cup have been studying English-language obscenities the players might use.

Carlos Simon will referee Saturday's match in Rustenburg, assisted by Roberto Braatz and Altemir Hausmann. They want to ensure players can't get away with abuse.

"We have to learn what kind of words the players say," Hausmann told Brazilian broadcaster Globo Sport. "All players swear and we know we will hear a few."

Braatz says they aren't learning them in "11 different languages, but at least we have to know the swear words in English."

FIFA denied reports that match officials have been given lists of swear words to listen for, but did say proficiency in English was a requirement for referees and assistants working the World Cup.

In addition, refereeing officials briefed all teams about the rules, including the potential for players to be cautioned or sent off for abusive language or gestures.

"There should not be any surprises to any members of the teams," FIFA spokesman Alex Stone said.

Stone said there was no requirement for referees to know obscenities in languages other than English.

Wayne Rooney received a yellow card during England's warmup match against South African club Platinum Stars on Monday for swearing at the referee.

"In this day and age I think it's important to show the referees some respect," England captain Steven Gerrard said. "You don't use any language because then you'll be booked and the whole team suffers. You don't want to fall into that trap ...

"We've had experience of losing big players at important times."

Some Observations From England’s Final Friendly Before 2010 World Cup

The following observations are from a friendly match between England and local South African side Platinum Stars on Monday 7 June 2010.

Although only a friendly, it was still interesting to see how the referee Jeff Selogilwe performed, and the way he handled celebrity players. No doubt, all World Cup match officials will have been watching the various friendly matches as part of their final preparations.

[Colour clash. The Platinum Stars goalkeeper is wearing a yellow shirt and black shorts, which is similar to the match officials.]

[Kick off. Referee Jeff Selogilwe signals the start of the match.]

[England's Jermain Defoe slots the ball past the referee goalkeeper. Pic courtesy Reuters.]

[Positioning. During a penalty kick, the referee stands amongst the England players.]

[The referee cautions England's Wayne Rooney, after Rooney says "F@# You" to him.]

[Referee Jeff Selogilwe comes face to face with his favourite player Wayne Rooney. Pic courtesy Michael Regan/Getty Images]

For his performance, the referee Jeff Selogilwe received Wayne Rooney's shirt. The referee publicly warned Rooney that he risked being sent off if he used similar foul and abusive language in the World Cup.

Rooney's England and Manchester United team-mate Rio Ferdinand, who is out of the World Cup through injury, responded by saying: "I'm sure [Wayne Rooney has] said a lot worse to other referees in Premier League games."

No doubt Ferdinand is correct!!