Referee boots out Argentina; World Cup is over!

By John Cheeran
The World Cup is over.
The World Cup is over for Argentina and for those who love football.
On Fridy, June 30, 2006, Argentina were cheated out by the Fifa of a place in the semifinal as the Slovak referee denied the Latin Americans a penalty in the closing minutes of fulltime.
In the 88th minute, Argentina's Maxi Rodriguez, who had scored the wonder goal against Mexico, broke into the penalty area, and German defender Lahm tripped him without getting the ball and justice would have been a penalty kick in Argentina’s favour.
But Lubos Michel, the Slovakian referee, did not have the guts to take a decision that would have thrown out the hosts from the World Cup. Only a courageous whistleblower could have done that.
So in order to justify his not giving, what would have been a deserving penalty for Argentina, Michel flashed the yellow card to Rodriguez, charging the striker with simulation.
It should not come a surprise to you that this was the same Michel who stood in the Brazil-Ghana match and gave Brazil their second goal from a clearly off-side position.
What the hell Sepp Blatter is doing there?
Is the Fifa running a World Cup or party for his European friends?
It should be worthwhile to remember that current German coach Jurgen Klinsmann was the simulator par excellence who claimed a penalty with his artful diving against Argentina in the 1994 final.
I sympathize with the Argentine fans all over the globe as their side is undeservingly thrown out of the World Cup.
It was a rousing performance by Argentina in Berlin. They took the lead through a stupendous header from Roberto Ayala in the 49th minute. They defended their lead till the 79th minute at rivals’ home turf.
Argentina coach Jose Pekerman, however, made some really baffling decisions in the second half by pulling out playmaker Roman Riquelme and striker Hernan Crespo.
I can’t understand why Pekerman brought on Cruz for Crespo. Pekerman should have brought on Lionel Messi and the young genius could have ripped apart the German defence.
One must admit that Pekerman’s tactical blunder also contributed towards Argentina’s disability in finding the match-winner even in extra-time.
Who said there is justice in this world?