Dear Editor:
Re: Women's soccer ref wrong, Letters to the editor, Burnaby NOW, Aug. 15.
I was disappointed to read Garth Evans' letter in the Aug. 15 issue of the Burnaby NOW. Without giving a single example to back up his, what might best be called a rant, he chastises the referee at the London Olympics women's soccer semi-final as being "incompetent."
Putting aside the emotion, which Mr. Evans appears to be swept-up in, it is my opinion the two crucial calls the referee made that had such an impact on the outcome were perfectly legitimate under the rules of soccer:
Penalizing the Canadian goalkeeper for carrying the ball for more than six seconds: The keeper herself acknowledged she was earlier verbally warned by the referee for doing this during the game; so when she did it again - for 13 seconds - she was justifiably penalized.
The handball call on the ensuing free kick: The ball struck the Canadian player on the forearm while it was headed for the Canadian goal, a penalty kick is the prescribed result.
Of course it was unfortunate, emotional and disappointing, but let's at least be fair. What was of more concern to me was the emotional intemperate remarks by some of the Canadian players at the end of the match. It was reported one of our
players said words to the effect that the referee had decided the outcome even before the game started. Such, if true, is a slur against all judges and referees at such an international sporting event, and lapped-up by the media of course. I would hope, in future, all our representatives are cautioned with respect to outbursts such as this. As it is, FIFA, the international soccer body, is investigating this matter, and discipline may follow. We have the women's World Cup for soccer here in 2015, again the world will be watching, quickly followed by the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Let's resolve to do better. Congratulations to all our athletes who competed in London, well done!
Peter Marshall, Burnaby
