MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 21:50:23| >> :600:306843210:306843210:

FIFA dismisses referee leniency claims

FIFA denies claims that referees at the World Cup have been told to be lenient in order to make matches more entertaining.

FIFA has denied claims that referees at the World Cup have been told to be lenient with yellow and red cards in order to make matches more entertaining.

It was reported in the German media over the weekend that referees chief Massimo Busacca had ordered officials to be lenient during games, something which world football's governing body strongly refutes.

"[The story] that there is a secret plan from FIFA telling the referees not to sanction with yellow or red cards in order to have more entertainment or television shares," spokesman Walter De Gregorio told reporters.

"In other words that FIFA is risking and tolerating that players like Neymar and others are injured. This is just unacceptable.

"This is part of the game and we accept that, but what we can't accept is the question on an ethical level, that there is a hidden plan from FIFA."

The tournament continues tomorrow with hosts Brazil taking on Germany in the semi-finals.

ID:163861: cacheID:163861:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2019:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Colombia's defender Juan Camilo Zuniga (L) fouls Brazil's forward Neymar during the quarter-final football match on July 4, 2014
Read Next:
Low sorry for Neymar injury
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!