Contributed by Haresh Deol/The Malay Mail

Was there favouritism in the selection of referees for the ongoing World Cup? Mailsport learnt of certain referees given “more opportunities” than others in policing matches in South Africa.

One of the casualties was Malaysian referee Sukhbidin Salleh who returned to Penang after having only been the fourth official for seven (South Africa- Mexico; Ghana-Serbia; Brazil-North Korea; Slovenia-USA; Brazil-Ivory Coast; Spain-Honduras; USA-Algeria; Chile-Spain) group stage matches. Sukhbidin is one of the four referees appointed from Asia.

The other three are Uzbekistan’s Ravshan Irmatov, Japanese Yuichi Nishimura and Khalil Al Ghamdi of Saudi Arabia. Irmatov handled three group stage matches (South Africa-Mexico; Greece- Argentina; England-Algeria), as well as the mouth-watering quarterfinal match between Argentina and Germany, followed by the semi-final clash between Uruguary and Holland.

Nishimura saw action in three group stage matches (Uruguay- France; Paraguay-New Zealand; Spain- Honduras) before being handed the quarter-final clash between Holland and Brazil.

Al Ghamdi, meanwhile, took centre stage in two group matches (France- Mexico; Chile-Switzerland).

Former national referee and FA of Malaysia head of referee’s department Datuk George Joseph was perplexed over Sukbidin’s reduced role at the World Cup.

“I find it to be very unfair. It was an appointment of an individual based on his capabilities.

“It has nothing to do with the standard of football in the country. Sukhbidin made the cut and therefore he is expected to officiate one match at the very least,” said George.

When pressed if Sukhbidin was subjected to “outside” interference, George diplomatically said: “Only Sukhbidin will be able to answer that.”

Author of the famous book, “The Fix”, Declan Hill in an email said; “I have heard about similar stuff in the past. In the book there is a story about a referee being offered a US$10,000 (RM32,200) bribe to give a West Asian country a penalty in a game.

“The man offering it to him also claims to have influence in the selection of referees.

“Keep me posted, sounds like you are onto a winner with this story.”

Meanwhile, George, a member of FAM’s disciplinary committee, called on Fifa to either introduce goal-line technology or place two officials to monitor the goalposts.

This comes about after the notorious “no-goal” call in England’s 4-1 defeat by Germany in the last 16.

“I am all for technology at major tournaments but only for goal line decisions. You can have additional officials to help out but the referee remains the sole decision-maker at the end of the day.”

About the Writer
Haresh Deol is a senior journalist, having served The Malay Mail since 2000, and has an educational background in civil engineering and law.

Ed’s note: Haresh wrote to me and said he’d like to contribute from his side of the border and I said, “Sure!” He generously shared this story with us.