A Cup Full of Conspiracy

Something’s rotten in FIFA.

South Korea is at risk of being the first host nation in World Cup history to miss the round of 16. National pride is on the line. Everything hinges on the results of two simultaneous games--the U.S. against Poland and South Korea against Portugal. Indeed, the distinct possibility of the U.S. advancing in place of Korea would pour salt into an Asian wound that has festered for three years since the U.S. women defeated China for the Women’s World Cup.

So FIFA gives the U.S. a Chinese referee?

Surprise of surprises: The referee disallows a U.S. goal based on a phantom Landon Donovan foul, awards Poland a penalty kick on a legitimate tackle, ignores at least two actual Polish fouls that would have resulted in penalty kicks and allows an illegal Polish goal to stand despite an obvious offside.

If that’s not enough to validate the conspiracy theory, how about the two red cards delivered to Portuguese players against Korea?

Having already weathered one scandal, Sepp Blatter may think his tainted FIFA presidency immune to another. Fortunately, this time there’s tape to back it up.

Wade Major

Malibu