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Collina restores referees' reputation Posted: Sunday June 30, 2002 10:37 AM
Brazil won its fifth World Cup final 2-0, thanks to two strikes from Ronaldo, and neither side could have any complaints about the manner in which the bald-headed Collina officiated the biggest game of all. There was not a single controversial decision and at no point did a hard-fought contest ever get in danger of spilling out of control. After the bitter exchanges that followed South Korea's wins over Italy and Spain, both aided by mistakes from officials, FIFA and the World Cup in general, badly needed an authoritative performance from Collina and that is exactly what they got. For those referees who think tough words, aggression and a dictatorial-manner are the best methods for dealing with footballers, Collina also gave a lesson in how to handle tension and build a relationship during a game. Collina may be best known for some fearsome expressions captured on film but he always has time for a quick pat on the back, a smile or a quiet word -- even in the World Cup final. When midway through the second half Brazilian defender Edmilson twice put a fresh shirt on the wrong way round, rather than point at his watch to remind the player of time being lost, Collina laughed and smiled sharing in a comical moment witnessed by tens of millions on television globally. In the first half, when his linesman flagged for what he considered to be a foul on Brazilian midfielder Ronaldinho, Collina had the judgment to spot the dive and the confidence and authority to over-rule his colleague. Excellent judgement The Italians' excellent judgment was displayed again when Cafu's hard challenge on Jens Jeremies left the German midfielder writhing in agony, but Collina did not follow the fashion for automatically punishing tough tackles, instead correctly ruling that the Brazilian captain had attempted to win the ball. Linesman have borne the bulk of criticism in this World Cup, particularly since the dreadful decision to disallow Fernando Morientes's headed goal in Spain's loss to South Korea, but Englishman Philip Sharp and Swede Leif Lindberg were also spot on throughout. Indeed since FIFA opted for European officials for all games -- apart from the third place playoff won by Turkey on Saturday -- from the semifinals onwards there has been a dramatic change in the quality of officiating. After all the complaints, claims and conspiracy theories that followed the error-ridden second round, thanks to Collina the World Cup will be remembered for Ronaldo's triumphant return to greatness and not for the men in black.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. |
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