World 
Australia 
“Tough… Not Dirty”
The Socceroos have been on the recieving end of the referees whistle just a little too often in the two games played so far, and one feels that this is thanks to a mis-conception that the Aussies are “too physical”… and I’m not the only one to think so.
Look at the stats… the foul count for the Japan match, according to the stats on the BBC website, was 23 to 11… and similarly, the match against Brazil was 24 to 9. That’s a total of 47 fouls awarded to Australia’s opponents versus a mere 20 awarded to Australia. My 2-and-a-half year-old could spot the inconsistancy there.
Looking at the official FIFA stats the bias against Australia is further evident. Australia have, after 2 games, a Foul Commited (FC) to Foul Suffered (FS) ratio of 2.47… the highest of all 32 teams. The next closest is Tunisia on 2.05.
Now if a team was to commit over twice as many fouls as they suffered, one would expect them to have a higher card count… and this is true of Tunisia on 10 yellows, and even Ghana who are on third on FC/FS standings with 1.8, and have 8 yellows (second to Tunisia). Yet Australia have only received 6 yellow cards… equal 8th with the Netherlands, Paraguay, Switzerland and Japan who have FC/FS ratios of 1.62, 0.93, 0.91 and 0.75 respectively.
Final bit of statistical evidence… perhaps Australia tackles more often, from which they may have earned the tag as being “rough”. Well, a look at the Tackles Commited (TC) to Tackles Suffered (TS) ratio would suggest otherwise… the leader here are Ukraine, Argentina and Mexico with figures of 1.77, 1.41 and 1.40… while Australia is ranked 27th with a TC/TS of 0.83… between Poland on 0.84 and Togo on 0.79.
Clearly, Australia are no rougher than you average World Cup 2006 team… yet they’re singled out by the refs as being worthy of special attention… negative attention that is.
Now, this might be because of the Japanese trying to gain advantage by branding Australia “bullies“, or the Dutch having a bit of a sook because their efforts at “simulation” weren’t as effective as they’d like in the warm-up match… or because the refs felt that the superstars of Brazil deserved some extra protection against the convicts from Down Under… who knows… but it has to stop… it’s not in keeping with FIFA’s moto… “Fair Play” now… is it!
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Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 49 comments.
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By phooey | June 21st, 2006 at 2:34 pm 
Ritz I didn’t realise that this site was for the exclusive use of Australians, must have mis-read the small print, world wide web mate! We are all commenting in here because of all your whinging.
Posted from 
United Kingdom
By Julia | June 21st, 2006 at 3:16 pm No its just not for people like you who have nothing nice to say
If you want bullies look at the 1932-33 ashes tour.
No wonder Larwood left for Aus.
Posted from 
Australia
By Julia | June 21st, 2006 at 3:52 pm I’m sorry you had such a bad experience in Aus and yes Australia does have racists but so does every other country in the world including England.
It just seems like your bagging the socceroos because their Australian.
Posted from Australia
By Martin | June 21st, 2006 at 3:57 pm Vlado, good post mate. Impressive use of the stats.
We all know stats are not always indicative of the game, just one of a number of avenues experts, coaches and fans use to analyse gameplay. It can be used to show bias, weaknesses, positives - whatever you want to prove your point.
Watching the game I did notice the ref giving Brasil more of the 50/50 calls and I was a little frustrated watching it so I can imagine how Kewell and the boys were feeling, especially since they were hanging with the mighty Brasil. And not having the captain Dukes able to chat with the ref was not on. But saying that, Brasil will get those calls against Australia as Brasil are the World Champs, respected footballing nation while we are the New Kids on the Block - nothing but a rugby/cricket nation.
Now refs are suppose to show no bias but human nature would probably lead them to give calls to the more respected nation. It happens in all sports. We just have to accept this and one day we might be the ones getting the calls. This is earned respect and we don’t deserve this yet.
These calls didn’t put two goals in the back of our net. But it would be nice to have a more consistent ref performance. That’s all you ask and let the football determine the winner.
Ze, I know what you are saying but just cause a team has a higher number of fouls does not always mean they foul more than the other team. It just means the ref sees more fouls from his point of view. You could look at just about any game in the WC as a neutral observer and call the game differently to the ref. You could see a foul but the ref calls it the other way. This could happen for most of these 50/50 calls (and usually the more established WC nation will get these calls) and thus the foul count seems lobsided and such teams are deemed dirty. Does this mean they foul more? In the refs eyes they do but to the neutral observer, maybe not. It just means they are getting the better of the calls.
This is what I thought Brasil were getting.
Anyway, this game is passed and our boys played their asses off and can hold their heads high. We should all be happy we matched it with Brasil in the WC. Now to Croatia!
Go the Socceroos.
Posted from 
United States
By phooey | June 21st, 2006 at 4:06 pm When you lot stop complaining about the officials and suppose bias, and actually got on about talking football I’d be more incline to say something nice.
Look at my first post again!
Welcome to World Cup football and the inconsistency of referees and linesmen.
Look at the Maradonna’s ‘Hand of God’ incident, bad calls is nothing new to this game. Deal with it and move on. Some you win, some you lose. Yeah it’s harsh when it goes against you.
Sweden’s first equaliser last night, goal should have been disallowed and the corner re-taken because the Swiss linesman wasn’t ensuring that the ball was placed correctly, it took the referee to do that much later.
You lot just think that you can say what the hell you like without any come-back, welcome to the real world of true long standing fans full of adults deary!
Posted from United Kingdom
By Julia | June 21st, 2006 at 4:39 pm As if every bloody fan dosen’t complain.
What do you mean true long standing fans?
The Socceroos didnt just get all these supporters overnight it took alot of of people alot of hard work and its an insult to the many people who have been supporting them for years.
I’m relatively new to Football and no not because were in the world cup and i decided to jump on the bandwagon. Besides the thing with bandwagon jumpers is if they dont truly love the sport they fall off!
Posted from Australia
By g | June 21st, 2006 at 5:10 pm Posted from United Kingdom
By Martin | June 21st, 2006 at 5:50 pm Hiddink said it well.
@Phooey, we are dealing with it mate and part of that process is discussion - good or bad. Whinging and whining is constant complaint. We could sit here and say other nations are continuing whinging about the Socceroos ie dirty team. Instead we are trying to educate the rest of the world that we do play football (not Aussie rules type, not rugby type but football as in soccer or whatever anyone else calls it).
The Swedish first goal being disallowed for the ball being an inch over the line, come on mate. Does anyone care when the ball is not placed on the exact spot for a free kick or if the ball is not 100% still. Sure they are the rules but if the ref lets the same rules apply for both teams then no problems.
@Julia, I support people jumping on the bandwagon and you are right if they are truly interested they will stay on and become supporters like all of us. How else do you gain wide support? We should embrace anyone who has an interest in the sport. Welcome to the beautiful game!
@Bigone. Yeah, Grella was lucky. He and Cahill are walking yellow cards - not cause they are dirty, they just play an aggresive style of play - something Guus has worked very hard on the Aussie team when he first came into power. They are no longer as reckless as what they were under Farina. Are old women truly the world’s greatest whingers!
Posted from United States
By phooey | June 21st, 2006 at 7:05 pm Martin … Wait till we get to penalty shoot-outs mate! Then everybody will be ensuring that the ball is placed correctly on the spot as it should be. Lines, spots, that’s what they are there for, anywhere forward gives an advantage. You’ll come back to me with something trivial, don’t bother, I play county league and ref for the pub league.
The point being that you guys (and gals) are going on about bias this and bias that. The only way to deal with the inconsistency of the officials is to either dock their pay packet for every dodgy call, which will result in nobody wanting to oversee matches, or, and it’s talked about at great length, instant replays to another official. The technology is used in rugby and cricket, so why not football, christ it would take alot of pressure off the officials on the pitch. France had a goal disallowed because a linesman wasn’t keeping his eye on the ball. It’s the nature of the game with a human factor trying to keep pace with a sport that is getting quicker and quicker.
Posted from United Kingdom
By alternababe | June 21st, 2006 at 7:30 pm England > Australia. The only thing that Australia has going for it are marsupials and the Great Barrier Reef.
boing boing
Posted from 
Canada
By Martin | June 21st, 2006 at 7:54 pm Phooey, I agree with you. The lines and spots are there for a reason but it has been a while since they have been enforced to the letter of the law. I’m all for it. But if one ref does it (like he should) then all should. It has become an unwritten law that you can take the free-kick not exactly on the spot where the foul happned or the ball doesn’t always have to be 100% still when taking the kick. I am happy though that the refs are picking up more foul throws.
I’m all for it but they have to be conisistant across the board.
I’m still not so gun-ho about using video replay. I think it has taken away from the spectacle of rugby - I hate waiting for the video replay and what is worse is when they still can’t make up their mind about the play. Nothing is foolproof. Why not have the in goal area sensored or something like that and a 5th official in the stands monitoring this constantly so that he can make a decision instantly (or within a few seconds) so that the flow of the game does not stop.
Posted from United States
By phooey | June 21st, 2006 at 9:07 pm Totally agree with you there. Both of your suggestions have merit and have been suggested to FIFA in recent years, and, as you rightly pointed out, as long as it doesn’t interrupt the flow of the game. Nobody wants the game to suffer. Quite the opposite!
Every WC we hear the same thing about referees and linesmen. As Shakespeare said, “To err is human.”
Posted from United Kingdom
By phooey | June 21st, 2006 at 9:11 pm Ever heard the expression ‘the best referees are the ones you never notice’?
Bring my hero out of retirement, the great Pierluigi Colina.
Posted from United Kingdom
By Julia | June 21st, 2006 at 9:45 pm Phooey finally something i can agree with. 
Posted from Australia
By phooey | June 21st, 2006 at 9:56 pm You’ll be wanting me to buy you dinner next! 
Posted from United Kingdom
By Julia | June 21st, 2006 at 10:19 pm I’ll give u a vegimite sandwhich.:D
Posted from Australia
By Martin | June 21st, 2006 at 10:46 pm Why on earth did Colina have to retire. He was a legend. Who cares if he is suppose to be old. The man can ref. His legendary status is shown by him being on the cover of Pro Evolution 3. To have a ref on the cover of the Greates Soccer Game ever is testiment to his brilliance. He never wanted to be the centre of attention and always let the game flow.
FIFA should show his videos to all refs as a learning tool. Better yet, just have him coach all WC refs.
Posted from United States
By phooey | June 21st, 2006 at 11:15 pm Pierluigi Colina refereed the last international match of his career when he took control of the Euro 2004 semi-final between the Czech Republic and Greece.
The Italian widely regarded as the best referee in the world turned 45 that February and so reached the compulsory age for retirement at international level.
The bald-headed Italian with the characteristic staring eyes refereed the 2002 WC final between Brazil and Germany.
The closest thing to a refereeing superstar that football has ever had, Colina is remembered for the way he handled the 1999 European Champions League final between Manchester United and Bayern Munich, when he consoled the weeping German players after they lost to two late goals.
“It is too easy to celebrate with the winners,” Colina said. “It is more important to stay close to the losers. When you see someone crying it’s normal to try to say something to them, even if it changes nothing.”
What a guy!
Posted from United Kingdom
By Svelte Rogue | June 22nd, 2006 at 1:10 am phooey, true. when kahn conceded the first goal of the WC 2002 final to ronaldo, collina comforted him, even if for kahn, nothing could take away his suffering. it was an uncharacteristic move for a referee to do such a thing and yet he did it. great guy
i’m glad hiddink took cahill out after 56 minutes in their game against brazil. he just couldn’t cut it with the big boys.
phooey, you rock
Posted from 
Belgium
By Steve | June 22nd, 2006 at 8:29 am Yeah - we should get over the poor reffing at the Brazil match. Our inspiration for this should be England. After the Maradona ‘Hand-of-God’ affair you never heard a thing from them. Took it manfully each and every one of them. Not a single complaint, just :”We were beaten by the better team”. That ref is considered a hero nowadays in Pommy land I do believe.
Posted from Australia
By Realist | June 22nd, 2006 at 12:42 pm All I’ve got to say is that we better win against Croatia (they haven’t even come close to scoring yet). If we lose, then we deserve to wait another 32 years until our next WC.
Posted from Australia
By phooey | June 22nd, 2006 at 3:07 pm Today’s game is, I reckon, going to be a belter. Croatia haven’t played at their best yet, both sides play a physical game (let’s hope that it’s not too physical and we ‘you’ don’t have a ref that’s whistle and card happy), and Croatia need the win to advance to the last sixteen. I’m really looking forward to it.
I’ll wear my other hat for a change, make the most of it because it may not last if you all start moaning again. I’d like to see Australia win, it’ll do wonders for the game down there.
@ Svelte Rogue … Don’t encourage me!
Prediction - Croatia score the opening goal, sit back and make Australia attack. Australia equalise and then the game changes gear. Wouldn’t like to put money on who will win. Final score 2-1.
Posted from United Kingdom
By Dougy | June 22nd, 2006 at 11:41 pm That last 10mins was wierd. 3 yellow cards for simic? A terrible mistake there and something ive never seen before.
phooey, thats a almost spot on prediction there.
The ref missed a couple of fouls in the penalty area to the australians (rugby tackle and 2nd hand ball) but it was a quick paced game and he is only human. Croatia seemed to have it over Australia before the 2nd goal then they sat back and seemed to just soak up attack after attack and then finally the equaliser. A lucky result in the end i think, though Australia just never gave up. Well done Australia.
Posted from Australia
By jodi | June 23rd, 2006 at 3:19 am just a thought, i dont understand the thinking that people are jumping on the soccer bandwagon, im not a huge soccer fan, i played in school havent really followed the soccer and pretty sure i wont follow it once this world cup is over ….but in saying that im a huge huge aussie fan …any game any time any where… today its soccer last year it was commonwealth games 6 years ago olympics with tons of games inbetween. Like tens of thousands of aussies im just as happy to watch australia play lawn bowls and cheer and scream and carry on right along with them (well ok maybe not cheer and carry on but i did sit and watch it though the olympics) because an aussie is an aussie no matter what sport they play, and its thrilling to see our blokes kick butt aussie aussie aussie oi oi oi
ps you can rip this post to peices if you so pleace after all, australia is a free country but when it all boils down to it, socceroo supporters and aussie supporters are both enjoying a wonderful gutsy performance
Posted from Australia
By jodi | June 23rd, 2006 at 3:21 am btw fifa backed down with kewell why was that i wonder, had to be more to it than we will ever hear, makes you think thought just what the ref did that fifa didnt want to stand behind him, i may be wrong but thats seems kind of unusual
Posted from Australia
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