Soccer makes me crazy

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by DadofTwins

I don't buy the "smaller space more officials" line.

What do you not buy... Football has less space and more officials than soccer. Not sure what there is there not to buy.

Originally Posted by DadofTwins

In football, you have guys watching 22 players because all 22 players are involved in every single play. In soccer, the field referee is only looking at 5-7 of the players at a time. The ARs watch the guys off the ball, most of whom aren't doing much of anything. If the center referee is in good position at a good angle within 10 or so yards of the play, he can see what he needs to see.

Yes, you watch all 22 because they are all near each other. If you put these 22 all over the field, and then make it so that the ball action could move 50-70 yards in a couple of seconds, 7 wouldn't be nearly enough... but you've hit on my reason for needing more right there. IF the referee is in good position at a good angle within 10 yards... Problem is ... with just 1, he VERY often is not - neither good position, good angle, nor within 10 yards. None of the above - hence the awful calls. With as much movement and space as soccer has, there's NO chance for a referee to stay in good position and angle, and straightlines will happen. Often.

An extra set of eyes behind the goal line opposite the center ref might be nice, but it's probably only necessary at the highest level.

I would also give the competition authority the right to impose or revoke sportsmanship sanctions after the fact, but again only at the highest level.

I would say more than "nice". Required, I believe. An official there would make a HUGE difference, not just on goals but on penalties and hand-balls close to the goal. I agree with the last sentence as well... and yes, only at the high levels - but we're talking about the World Cup - doesn't get much higher than that.