Jenny Wood

Last week, the soccer world was faced with controversy surrounding a referee’s call and the final outcome of the match.  That’s right, if you haven’t been living under a rock, you have heard about the Ireland v France World Cup qualifier, Henry’s handball and the ensuing goal that ultimately led to France’s qualification.

My question to the Iowa Soccer community is, should FIFA authorize a re-match?

On the one hand….an obvious missed call, something replay clearly showed.  On the other hand, our game does not currently utilize replay, and, historically, a referee’s call does not get changed after the match is over.

Putting on my State Cup Director hat for a moment…what do you suppose the reaction of coaches, players, parents and referees would be if a parent on a losing side came to me with video replay after a match clearly showing the referee missed a call on what turned out to be the winning goal, and I determined the match would be replayed?  How about you tournament directors out there — would you want to make that decision?

Essentially, FIFA was in this same position.  In our game, referee decisions stand on the field and are not overturned “after the fact” — even in the face of overwhelming evidence that would support overturning.  And unfortunately for Ireland, the Assistant Referee did not have the angle to help the Referee with getting the call right.  I bet just about every one of us can point to a missed call that cost our team a match.  But for now, that is part of our game.  Any referees out there want to share their point of view?  Community members, speak up!

Jenny Wood, Iowa Soccer