World Cup Blog - out!

So there you have it. the dust has settled and the Spaniards are still wearing red and yellow in celebration several days later. Arguably up until the final itself the best two teams got there although on form I think a German/Spanish final would have been better. Holland were always going to try and cheat their way to a win as they have often done in the years since their 'total football' nonsense came of age. Robben was the whiner from hell and the way both sets of players surrounded Howard Webb on several occasions wasn't pretty nor respectful and far from fair play considering the number of times they asked him to produce a card for an opponent. Can you imagine how bad it would have been if we'd had a lesser ref? As for Holland saying he wasn't strong enough, they would have been 2 men down maybe 3 by half time had he stuck rigidly to the rules and not a chance of a Dutch win then... he kept them in the game I reckon and made a final of it.

The only way to solve this is to ban players and not whine at the referee when he does. You cannot have it both ways. Either you accept the discipline and stick to the rules or you forget football and call it something else. Like kiss ball or pretend to trip ball, diveball or handball. The apparent acceptance that it also ok to cheat has also got to stop FIFA has to come down and say it is not ok to cheat and if, after the fact there is video evidence then you will be banned and banned for a minimum of 3 games. Imagine how quickly clubs will pull their players into line if revenue is hit and profit as without these 'top' players the club starts to slide. It is simple and all it takes is balls and not politics for it is polictics these idiots play with our game. Blatter, Platini and all the other suits that 'administer' the game ffs I could given a mandate sort out the cheats in the English game in one season as longs as the managers were kept in their kennel and not allowed to interfere. Golf, rules no matter who you are make a mistake (not a cheat) and you can lose tournaments remember Ian Woosnam having too many golf clubs because his caddy missed the error, disqualified no nonsense and no argument cost him a fortune. Rugby is a similar field sport and you get no nonsense only the captain is allowed to talk to the referee and the captain sticks to it otherwise it is sin bin or worse. Now football would not work with a sin bin a ten minute penalty isn't really that difficult as they can play behind the ball and weather the storm but banning persistent offenders for future games will have an effect eventually. Forget fines and forget enquiries keep it to the rules and keep it transparent no matter if you are Maradonna it is the world Cup and the handball was deemed ok by the fans it's against the rules and a ban should have happened after the goal was replayed and disallowed, nothing difficult in that.

Back to the final and Spain were definitely the team that should have won yes Puyol should have been sent off but Robben stayed on his feet hoping to get to the penalty area he can't claim a disadvantage after he tried to use it as an advantage? Van Bommel? It's all been said but nothing has been done. Finally what the hell was Blatter doing there handing over the trophy it was an African World Cup he's had enough free publicity, meals, wine, flights etc including his salary he can buy a photo and get it photo shopped with him in it if he's that desperate. I would have liked to have seen Zuma and a child from the township presenting that trophy - period.

So the semi finals are decided. Last night was another noisy night here in Spain as the boys got through after some trouble I thought. They deserved the win based on the second half but I couldn't help but feel sorry for Paraguay. What is up with Torres? Iniesta was also shockingly bad in the first half but produced it on cue. A few dives here and there as usual the refs inconsistency on the penalty area infringement should have allowed the Paraguayan to retake his fluffed free kick but it was not to be. Pique should have been banned a few games as well if FIFA conduct a post match video replay. Of course more cheating on display through all the games, Robben in that awful dive for the free kick that led to their first goal, having said that their second was a peach and Brazil aren't averse to cheating particularly Lucio and Alves so the Dutch go through deserved. I was angry at the Ghana result mainly because yet again cheats do prosper in football, a sure fire goal stopped by not one but two Uruguay players trying to handle it and the penalty miss sees the guilty player laughing but certainly in the Final if the team win the semi against Holland. Suarez should have at least a further 3 match ban once FIFA see the actions if anything shows the up the fact that in football you can get away with it that was one of the defining moments and when will the men in suits stop worrying about their pockets and ego's and sort these cheaters out. He's even had the audacity to say that he now has the 'hand of God'. I can't be the only person who is sick of seeing seriously injured players jump up within a second of realising they didn't get the foul, why aren't they booked afterwards for cheating? Argentina v Germany was a treat and it was good to see Argentinian so called sweet feet ran riot by youthful determination and lack of fear. My only fear is the players back in England will say "Look they got stuffed 4 - 0 it can't be our fault!" It was and I'm not for turning.

Finally Capello has got the backing, I hope they keep their noses out and let him do the job his way I also hope he literally sweeps all the dust out and starts totally fresh. Managers are already saying we can sort this and win the Euros - forget the Euros use that as practise and concentrate on the next World Cup if we lose in the Euros but see an improved team with guts, determination and a willingness to give their all regardless I'll be happy. However I know it won't happen, it never happens because those that get the free tickets and the big bucks get it anyway win lose or draw. We that pay the money, buy the merchandise and wave the flags just have to lump it. Here's a suggestion - why don't the FA open a petition site and ask for emails or a vote. The question? Shall we get rid of these overpaid jokers and go with the untried youth, yes or no?