This is part of occassional series on the buffoonery of Sepp Blatter, president of international soccer's governing body FIFA. It's been said of Blatter that he has 50 ideas every day, 51 of which are bad. Blatter is a sufferer of foot-in-mouth disease, though many fans would love to give him foot-in-rear syndrome..
Tim Cahill, a player for the English club Everton, scored a goal and lifted his jersey over his head in celebration. For this, he was given a yellow card (caution). Since he'd received a caution earlier in the game, the second yellow resulted in a red card. He was kicked out of the game and will be suspended for his team's next contest.
A ludicrious decision by the referee?
Earlier this year, FIFA adopted rule changes saying that a player must be cautioned when... he removes his shirt over his head or covers his head with his shirt.
This was Cahill's offense.
Unfortunately, the referee was merely enforcing ludicrious rules and he said he specifically mentioned this provision to team captains before the game.
Most reasonable people wouldn't blame him for doing his job. But Sepp Blatter is not a reasonable person.
The czar of world soccer, who happened to be at the game, opined, "I don't agree with the referee. He should never expel the player just for pulling the shirt over his head. If he takes it off, then OK - he's ready to go to the dressing room."
The ref didn't expel the player for that offense, he cautioned him. But as any referee, save Andy D'Urso, knows: two yellow cards makes a red card.
The head of world soccer is doesn't even know rules he himself pushed through.
That said, maybe someone will mention the contradiction to Blatter and this absurdity will end. But since Blatter has raised micromanagement to an art form, I won't hold my breath.
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