in the champions league  final, was the refree right or wrong to have blown the whistle so early?
603991
Technically he was correct, however you are always instructed as a referee to hesitate a moment before blowing your whistle. If the referee had followed this he would have allowed the goal for Barcelona and would have only had to issue a yellow card to the keeper. History has shown us that referees who are too quick with their whistles do not get a second chance. Clive Thomas, a Welsh referee, who was one of the best in the World back in the 70's, denied Brazil a place in the quarter finals of a World Cup, I believe it was '74, because he did not use patience and common sense and never handled a big FIFA game again. He blew his whistle to signal the end of the game when the ball was on it's way into the net, and would have given Brazil the win they needed to progress. What difference would it make to allow a few extra seconds in these situations?
587955
Blame Henry not the Ref.  Thanks for the missed opportunities.\n\nThere sure are a lot of whining going on here from the Arsenal fans.  I am not a Barca fan I just think that the game changing decision was a good one.  What did Lehman think was going to happen?  A high five from the ref.  Come on he could have given the goal that would have been worse.  Stop whining your in the Champions League next year but I guess without the choking Henry you'll get know where.\n\nHenry must already be on Barca's payroll.  Hero to zero, Blame Henry not the ref.
1117809
Time wasting. the referees are very strict this year on that and i think it is great. Cannot wait to see the first red for a keeper taking his sweet time 1-0 up with 5 minutes to go.
1023457
it wasn't fair what the ref did...I'm wondering where's the fair-play that FIFA is talking about?\nand yeah maybe the ref was payed to do what he did..
1004870
The pass has to be kicked before the player crosses the line.  The first goal looked legit to me, it was just a matter of ronaldo outrunning the defenders.  The 2nd and 3rd were the ones that looked offsides from the replays I saw.
760254
I also did not understand it. I mean I thought that the ref felt embarrassed about the confusion with A. Cole's yellow card to he gave Messi a card to distract the attention away from him. We all  know that Messi is pure...I could never imagine him being nasty on purpose.\n\nBut lets be honest...the ref was CRAZY!!! He missed two red card offences and would not even allow the medical staff on the field when Drogba was bleeding...\n\nThe man was evidently deranged...I mean who adds 6 min of extra time??? I don't think the ref was impartial enough. He was obviously having a bad night...please don't let it bother you!
1116155
No, I don't.  If you recall in the first minutes of the game he called a yellow card on the German player.  Overall, it was an excellent game between two really good teams that had a referee that let them play.  That's as good as it gets.
972915
The whole thing is ridiculous, if this incident had happened to any other goalkeeper other than a Chelsea one, then the whole thing would have blown over. But Jose Mourinho is such an ego maniac he thinks that his team are forever the victims of injustice.\nIt was an unfortunate incident, but nothing more than that, and anyone could see that. The poor boy Hunt was fired up, his first professional game against the Premiership title holders in his first season in the Premiership, he just wanted to win every ball.\nChelsea, get over it.
1133798
Different scenario...I wonder if every one would think it was no big deal if that person had have scored while still on the field and that score legally stood as the result, knocking their team out of the WC. Bet you'd all be doing the same amount of belly aching.\n\nNo referee at that level should make that kind of mistake. Neither should the linesmen or the fourth referee. Dismal display by all that officiated. Bet Brazil and other top teams would be jumping up and down had a goal been scored by a banished player and cost them their spot.\n\nIts not just about what happened or didn't, it's the potential that it will again and the potential that it could cost teams their place to advance. \n\nAustralia is proud and would have still been proud had the result been different. Unlike some our boys would not have been abandoned by us supporters. Posters are just stating facts that occurred in the game. No more no less than everyone else does.
659525
Of course.\n\nIt was only a scuffle. They were both competitive.\n\nThe ref was a fool
1025441
The ref from that game embodies the world cup attitude. It's just like the Oscars, all politics. everyone, including our own citizens, we're rooting against the US. rank 2, 5, and 13 in one group? we were never meant to win. 16 yellows and 4 reds? It's the largest stage in the world and he blew it. you can't have a "bad day" in that kind of role.
1021110
I think that the ref was just inconsistent with the calls and the red card to Pablo Mastroeni was not justified at all. At most it deserved a yellow card for a late tackle but definitely not a red card. The yellow card given to Eddie Pope which resulted in a red card was also completely stupid! The red card given to the Italian player Daniele De Rossi was justified because it was an obvious and intentional foul. The refs also called offsides on the Italians when the player was onside. The ref of the game had been put on probation before also for making bad calls.
1060946
i can just post the same video and told you all it's from another team. it's somewhat common for manager at national team or in the club to instruct their player to dive at tackle. i don't agree either. but  that's the way footbal played. just like injuring some player with hard tackle, it's common also. either we think it's good or not. the team can only be blamed if they have some agreement with the referee of the game. as long as it's not proved, what happen on the pitch is the ref own responsibilities
1118773
in response to responder #1, It was a questionable call, the Italians had twice to that point had slides where the feet were stacked and they made deliberate contact to stop the advance of the ball. One was from the side, it was just a whistle, the second, from behind was a yellow. I didnt like how the sportscasters said that there was no way it was a red, but i dont completely agree with it. Some of the officials have been great, most have been a little to antsy to give out cards. It happens.
1015980
No, of course it wasn't deserved.  First of all, him and the guy ran into each other.  Second of all, it's a TRAGEDY that the best football player to have ever walked on this planet is sitting out what could be his last game ever and it's on his birthday (june 23rd).\n\nWords cannot express how mad I am at that worthless referee's decision.  It was clearly not a yellow card.  If France does not advance to the round of 16, I am going to find that referee and have a little "chat" with him.
538783
I'm trying to take a neutral stand in this but am really veering to tipping off the edge.  That must have been the most shocking display of refereeing I have seen in years!  The advantage was there and clearly played for the Lehmann red card, surely common sense should prevail and allow the goal and let us have a game of 11 v 11, rather than ruin the next 70 or more minutes by forcing Arsenal down to 10 men.\n\nThe Henry yellow card was a joke! Van Bommell had been kicking chunks out of the arsenal players all game and hardly even got a free kick against him, then Henry win a fair challenge and is cautioned!\n\nThere were many other examples of favoritism towards the Spaniards and I'm not just talking about the fact that the original choice linesman was posing in a Barca shirt before the game.\n\nFor a neutral it ruined what promised to be a truly great final, especially after the start when Arsenal were attacking. From an English point of view it a travesty, I guess from a Spanish point of view it would be hard lines!\n\nI've said my bit but man am I still mad!
1001794
I think a hefty substantial fine is warranted but adequate as the incident happened after the game. He had a point but handled it the wrong way making things harder for the team and he is experienced enough to know that there would be repercussions. His play throughout the game was not under question so his play should not be penalised. FIFA should not be blindly supporting those referee's that have turned out sympathetic, biased or abysmal performances. FIFA must step up and take responsibility for their decisions as to whom they put in charge of a game. There are many things that can be learnt from this situation.\n\n10 minutes later: update on Australian news: Harry Kewell has been cleared by FIFA on all charges relating to the incident.