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Diving touches a nerve Posted: Monday June 17, 2002 5:28 AM
SEOUL -- Thanks for your many comments on the issue of players diving and play-acting at this World Cup. I didn’t realize my article would touch such a nerve. It made for interesting reading. By far the majority of comments I received supported my claim that it ruins the game and needs to be outlawed. So, by way of a final word, here’s an interesting suggestion and a well expressed summation. The suggestion comes from Jim Clancy of Silver Spring, MD: I’ve been floating this for years, (I guess I don’t know any network executives), why not have a segment in the weekly highlight TV shows. This segment could be called “Wussie Men” or something and show the worst dives of the week in local and world soccer. In effect, humiliate the divers; show slow motion replays; backwards and forwards; zoom in on their facial expressions; maybe give a special award for the shortest recuperation. What a great idea. We could give extra points for artistic impression, “big air” time, and not sticking the landing. Could be a whole new sport. The summation comes from Alfredo Narvaez of New Orleans, LA: Hey! I hope that you are enjoying this World Cup as much as I am! I just wanted to pass this note along: Don’t let those guys get to you. The bad “playacting” that many of these world-class athletes engage in is nothing more than second-rate theatrics and it should be removed from the sport. Period. It takes away from the flow and rhythm of the game and makes the players look like big babies. The athleticism and heart that the majority of the players have shown throughout this World Cup is only devalued by the cheap acting that their colleagues try to get away with. Oh, and as for the fans that defend them, they should try to watch a game without it and they would appreciate the finesse and skill that it takes to truly play football. They’ve apparently seen so much bad play that they’ve forgotten how the game is supposed to be played. I couldn’t have said it better, so let’s move on briefly to other issues arising from these finals so far. Arsalan of Houston, TX wants to know why the U.K. has four shots at making the finals: I’ve always wondered why the United Kingdom has four teams and does not compete as a single nation? Since you're English I hope you can answer my question.
Arsalan, although people refer to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland collectively as the United Kingdom, and although they are ultimately centrally governed from London by the British Prime Minister, for football purposes they are historically four separate nations with four separate football associations. There have been various suggestions over the years that the four teams should unite under a British banner, as happens in other sports at the Olympics, but that’s always been shot down in flames. Personally, there have been times over the last 30 years or so, when I think a British team would have had a great opportunity to be the dominant force in world football. However, for reasons of power, money and, presumably, national pride, a united Britain has never materialized, at least in football terms. By the way, for those who’ve written confused, the Republic of Ireland, while located in the British Isles, is not British, and could not therefore be included under the British banner should such a team emerge. Andy Williams of League City, Tx USA, wants to have a go at his own team: When will most Americans realize that we are not very good, and have been extremely lucky during this tournament. I feel our results have more to do with our opponents poor play and finishing than with our level of play. While the Matthis goal, and McBride’s header were of high quality, the rest of our field players have only played average football. Friedel has also done a very good job. Do not get me wrong, we have come a long way since Italia 90, but until the majority of our squad, not just a few starters, play in serious leagues in Europe, or South America, we will be a third rate country that will infrequently get good results. It’s rare that an American has written to me with such an unbiased and realistic view of his team in terms of its standing on the world stage. For that Andy needs to be applauded. That said, the U.S. has to be applauded for the way it’s battled and won through against teams that were technically superior. Sure, there was a share of luck involved, but every team needs that. Just look at how lucky Spain was to squeeze past Ireland into the quarterfinals. An increasing number of American players do earn their living overseas, and that will only benefit U.S. soccer in the long term. As I’ve written many times before, only seven nations had won the World Cup prior to this tournament, so to expect the U.S, a relative rookie in terms of its soccer pedigree, to mount a serious challenge for the title is a long shot. And while strange things have happened at this World Cup, I think American soccer fans need to re-adjust their definition of “success” to mean something less than ultimate victory. Jean M. Jeudy of South Miami, fancies himself as a prophet. And while some may question his sources, I personally like what his voices are telling him: Remember what I told you before the World Cup? I have the ability to know things in advance before they come to pass. Therefore, let me reveal to you who is going to win the World Cup. When it comes to pass, please understand this ... the Lord YESHUAH can reveal... As of now mark your calendar. ENGLAND IS WORLD CUP CHAMPION KOREA JAPAN 2002. Jean, as a man who’s been waiting since 1966 for the three lions on England’s shirts to roar rather than whimper, I like your prophecy a lot. Incidentally, if it comes true, have you got any stock market tips you could let me have because I love the idea of early retirement. Next, to Colin R. Wrubleski of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada via ShinChang, ChoongChungNam-Do, Republic of Korea who laments the passing of the Poles: Canada, alas, is again not in the World Cup this year. In lieu of cheering for Canada, then, I have decided to cheer for Poland, the land of my surname (and my father’s grandfather). Thus, could you explain the demise of Poland in this year’s World Cup? What happened to their offense? Even more inexplicable, what alien entity substituted a soccer duffer into the body of Jerzy Dudek, the erstwhile Polish keeper? Commiserations, Colin. But don’t put the blame on the Jerzy in the jersey. The entire Polish team played without passion or purpose in their first two games. They were disorganised and seemingly disinterested. Apparently the coach would have been better off fielding his reserves throughout, as it was only when some of them were given a run-out in the final game with the U.S., when Poland had already been eliminated, that the Poles looked impressive. Oh, what might have been?
What do you think of having a second referee? The linesmen are supposed to help but their main job is to look for offside. Having a second ref would enable them to be at least a little closer to the action and perhaps the players would feel less compelled to take dives. Also, I believe there’s been some missed calls that have affected the outcome of some games. Having a second ref could of prevented such outcomes. I personally would have no problem with two referees on the field, presumably policing one half of the pitch each. The linesman, who are actually called assistant referees these days, do more than watch for offside, but you are right, they are slightly removed from the action and therefore less well positioned to make a call. Other sports, played on much smaller courts/fields, use two referees, so why not football. Interesting suggestion. Ferran of Boston wants to talk football. What have we been talking up to now, Ferran? Let’s talk about Football!!! What do you think about Spain?? If I recall correctly you did not believe much in England but France or Argentina. What now? I do not criticize your opinion, I also believe Argentina was suppose to be a great team... But Spain will rock. Who’d be a pundit at this World Cup? Everyone’s predictions are going down the toilet. Spain impressed me in the group phase. They were less impressive against Ireland, a match I was fortunate enough to attend. But they did show some battling qualities that have eluded them at past tournaments. Most notably by surviving the whole of extra-time with only 10 men after using up all their substitutions and then suffering an injured player. I think in Raul and Morientes they have some in-form goalscorers, which every team needs. So all in all, I think they’re very dangerous. I don’t expect them to win the Cup. But like I said, as a pundit at this tournament, what do I know? Finally, Matthew Urwin of Oxford, England shows his age and mine. All of those gruelling years on Newsround have given you that hard edge that the likes of those from Burke, Detroit and Curitibon aren’t going to dent. By the way, did you mean a top-flight English club, or pub? For those who don’t know, Newsround is the longest running news programme in Britain, if not the world, so I was told. It’s geared to children, watched by adults, and prompted Britain’s most famous newscaster, Michael Buerk, to say, “I didn’t know what I didn’t know about world events, until I watched Newsround. I was one of its reporters and let me tell you, when you have to explain the Anglo-Irish peace agreement, or Middle Eastern conflicts to an audience of kids, you'd better have the essence of the story down pat. Good grounding for any journalist I reckon. By the way, Matthew, for all it matters, I had trials at Chelsea and Crystal Palace, not the Dog and Duck. OK, gotta go and do my day job on World Sport. Bye for now. Terry Baddoo is co-host of World Sport, the international sports show that airs live on CNN International. He will regularly contribute Postcards from South Korea to CNNSI.com during the World Cup.
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