Top 3 Umpiring Blunders of World Cup 2010

Umpires are humans and they have their limitations. I am sure all the umpires are well trained people by FIFA and they do their best to make Football a better game to watch.

There are many theories against poor umpiring of many FIFA umpires. Here are some example of people of the World feel about 2010 umpires (the list is taken from various forums, Youtube video comments and several blog comments).

1. Most European umpires have a sympathy to other European nations.
2. America and Europe have rivalry over Football power center and umpires from one area acts against the others on field.
3. Most umpires favor powerful nations
4. Umpires usually favor celebrity players like Messi, Ronaldo, Gerrad, Rooney, Kaka etc.
5. Most umpires show cards to defenders, while strikers get away with serious faults
6. Black umpires favor black players from across the Globe. US black players got away with serious fouls against Slovania; while the Goal by US was dismissed

These are some small and some serious allegations general public have, which FIFA needs to address after the World Cup. It is very important to win people’s heart for FIFA to keep Football (soccer) the most loved game always.
I feel, its natural for a umpires to do some mistake. Most of those mistakes are neither biased nor intentional.
There can be smaller errors but umpiring mistakes should not cost a game for any nation. Umpires should enforce discipline but it should on the players game that decide the victorious team.
Here are three umpiring decisions of World Cup 2010 that cost game for the receiving nations.

1. Klose Red Card for Germany

Klose did foul in the game against Serbia and deserved Yellow Card. But 2 Yellow Cards, certainly NOT!
Umpire could have given a warning to Klose on the second Yellow Card situation and settled for a free kick. But umpires took no chance and sent Klose out of the game in 37th Min. Germany lost of Serbia 1-0.

2. Nigeria vs Greece – Sani Kaita red card

In the tussle between Sani Kaita and Torrosidis, it was Torrosidis who hit Kaita with the ball. Kaita hitting back at Torrosidis was just a natural reaction to it but umpire took very harsh decision on Kaita and sent him out with Red Card.
I am sure if umpires has asked suggestions from the match referees, he would have given Yellow card to both but he instead took a instant decision to show Red Card to Kaita. Nigeria had to play 10 men against the Greece and lose 2-1.

3.  United States goal dismissed against Slovania

United States made a excellent come back from two goals down to equalize against Slovenia. They even scored the third goal but it was dismissed by Umpire for foul.
There was certainly no offside, and there does not seem to be any serious foul by any US players. But umpire saw some foul play and dismissed the winning goal by the States.
Ending Thoughts
I have full faith on FIFA and the umpires they assign the job. These are some smaller human errors, which may however need a look back to better the game management.
Umpires need to be strict irrespective of such possible errors. This can only ensure the players safety and the quality game play.