I really hope its not, but the NFL sure seemed like it was fixed this year, especially the superbowl. I know people will come on here and say I am a conspiracy theorist, but ether the refs are completely incapable of calling a fair/good game or someone is telling them to do this. There is no way it could be this bad by chance. I'm not a mad Seahawks fan or something, I just wanna watch a good, fair game. What do you all think?
123480
Of course its rigged. How else would the Steelers win the Super Bowl.
642811
It is my understanding that the refs are under pressure by FIFA to call the matches more strictly.  However,  I think they've gone a little too far this year!  \n\nIt is evident to me that many bookings (yellow and red cards) have been given out of fear of losing control of the games.  To my mind, any referee who fears losing control of a match shouldn't be out there in the first place.  \n\nThe practice has always been to call the players involved in a foul together and warn them verbally before issuing any cards.  Sometimes the official may call the team captains together and talk to them.  Either way, you don't come right out of the gates flashing yellow cards at the first players to commit a foul.  \n\nYou are right in saying the refs have been bad.  This is not average at all.  I'm disappointed to see so many games limited to 11 vs. 10, 10 vs. 10 or even 9 vs. 9 (Holland-Portugal), just because a referee fears losing control of the match.  \n\nI think we've probably seen yet another World Cup record set in the number of yellow and red cards given.  Personally, it's not the kind of record I want to see broken ever again!  Ironically the very control the referees have tried to affect through all the bookings has backfired on them!\n\nAnyway, that's my two cents.
251386
I totally agree.You could almost see Cower paying the refs.And it wasn't just the Super Bowl it was the whole playoffs,all the cheep shots and bad calls that went for The Pittspuke Squealers made the playoffs a joke.Ben Chokesonburger is a joke also.
559875
The thing is this. If there is technology, use it. It's not like it's going to spoil the game and its legacy; au contraire, it will most certainly enhance the credibility of the refs and make the game fairer for all the fans and players alike. Refereeing this WC has seen some of its uglier sides, stomping chances of certain countries who have most certainly worked their butts off for this. \n\nThe refusal of FIFA to make full use of the available tech is really exasperating, if not just downright stupid.
327681
Hmm. It is a very interesting perdicament. I dont know if you are firmiliar with the Madden football franchise, but that has also proven to cause the players trouble the season that they are on the cover. Virtually every person that has been on the cover of that game since 1999 has had a serious problem that season. I think it may be the pressure that the athlete faces/the ego trip that they get. When you are preforming well enough to be the face of a product that is going all over the world, you get a high on the "fame". But back to the future of the curse, seeing as Fight Night is a relatively new game, and on any given day, any powerhouse boxer can fall to the bottom, I see no reason that the "curse" can not continue. The question is, is it all just a big coincidence?
669821
believe Fifa is really going to be serious about it, considering that they've actually sent representatives to all 32 teams to instruct them on the consequences of foul play. \n\nAnd yes, Fifa is addressing your concerns regarding tackles from behind/are high, as well as diving. Refs have been issued strong reminders to deal strictly with playacting, faking fouls and time wasting tactics, so I guess these will help to make the games faster and quicker.\n\nBut then again, refs are already quite strict: I ran a search and found that in 2002, at South Korea/Japan, there were 257 yellow cards and 17 red cards, which really are relatively high figures.\n\nStill, I do hope the playacting and unfair tactics and all other nonsense stops! =P
662257
I think that there is some underground organization that controls the outcome of the games.  Money has to be involved.  That is my take on the whole referee thing.
349847
I think the decision of whether a ball is fair or foul - in the case of a disputed homer - is a fair item for replay.  It's not a knock on the umpires, but those calls can be tough to make when they happen as quickly as they do.\n\nOther than that, though, I don't like the idea of replay in baseball.  Sure, umpires make occasional bad and questionable calls on other plays (safe/out calls), but I don't think it happens as often as we sometimes think.  I'm also not sure that replay would make a difference on many of those calls, because they're likely to often be inconclusive, like many calls in the NFL.\n\nI'm very wary of replay because I've seen how ineffective it can be in the NFL.  For every one they rule on properly, there are several that just leave me scratching my head.  I don't want to see baseball go through those same pains.\n\nBaseball is a great sport, with umpires that generally do an outstanding job.  I'd hate to see their role reduced, or called into question, on a regular basis.  If we're going to start using replay for many cases, why not just cut out the umpires and make all the calls from upstairs?
295614
I agree with cooley.  The are not overall fixed.  However, by extending the series, companies can make money on broadcasting and advertisement.  Sometimes, I feel the refs are biased in their calls..but for the most part I don't think they are fixed.  I really feel the first round should go back to a 5 game series.
411223
They have been calling it alot this year.  It further prevents defensive players from making a tackle and just laying on the opposing player running down the clock.  \n\nGood rule, but in this instance it was a bad flag.
433124
The refereeing has been very inconsistent with these new rules! I'm all for cleaning up the cheap stuff and the blatant restraining penalties but I've seen lots of questionable calls on hooks, tripping and interference but then there are times, especially late in the game that they ignore obvious penalties and that needs to change!! They should also do away with the 2nd referee...that's like having 2 judges in a court case!!
556758
Yesterdays Australia game proves that refs need help on important decisions like last minute penalties.\nNow Australia are heading home ...and that is wrong.\nRefs need more help and less interference from FIFA.\nWe sure need video help,  and it's gonna come sooner or later, the sooner the better.
662964
I agree the refereeing has been bad, but I however don't feel it is all their fault.  Fifa has told them to referee a certain way, which is way more tight then players are used too.  This in turn create way more cards.  While there have been some awful decisions like the 3 yellows, or the PK against the US, most of the refereeing is following the strict rules fifa has put in place.  Referees are just easy scapegoats, they are the middlemen in fifa's plan to clean up the game, and get rid of bad challenges, dives, and time wasting.  I feel right now players are having a hard time adjusting to this, and therefore we are seeing way more cards.
637048
Already, there is a referee, 2 linesmen, fourth official and at this years world cup, a fifth official, should anything happen to the rest.\n\nUnlike NFL, football doesnt stop every minute or two, so video wouldnt work: wit would be yet another excuse for timewasting and cheating.  \n\nThe current system isnt, and never will be perfect, but i do think the other officials should have more of a say if they see an incident another doesnt.  At the world cup they have earpieces and mics and this should be the way forward.  Yes, video replays can help spot things the eye cant, but we dont want to lose the flow of the game. \n\nSo as far as im concerned, they have sufficient officials on the park at all times already.
146830
Most NBA players and teams are obnoxious when it comes to blaming the refs for every loss.\n\nJust about every team thinks they'd be 82-0 if it weren't for the refs.\n\nGuess they all figure that the refs are 'disrespecting' them, and you don't do that!
638282
That was hands down the worst officiating I have seen in any sport.  Even the Pittsburgh/ Indy AFC championship game (or the Superbowl... take your pick) was better officiated that this fiasco.  How can you give one guy a red card for purposefully elbowing someone and then give the USA player a red card for a slightly late tackle?!?!?!   That referee was smoking shrooms before the game if you ask me.
235018
Detroit is prolonging the the series to get mo money.  They already know that they will face Miami in the finals and will dominate.  Basketball is rigged and it is exactly like professional wrestling.  Most of what you watch has already been figured out and the point spreads fixed to keep the bettors off guard and the rich-rich.  Look at The Superbowl where Seattle was robbed by the officials.  If a game gets to look too far out of place the officials are there to bring it back into perspective.  Don't believe me-I will tell you now that college teams are the real champs and that is why the US Olympic team was shot down.  Because when it comes time to play real ball they are so outta sync that they can not function as a team.  Why not let the US NBA team play for The Olympics as a reward and as representation of OUR Champions.  Because They Cheat and the Olympics would disgrace the US by permanently barring them.  However if we allowed Florida State (and I pulled for Gonzaga by-the-way) to represent U.S., we would have true team spirited champions giving it there all for their country.  They could give a sHEEt about the money HOMEY!