FIFA looking at Canada's post-match ref comments

LONDON  - FIFA, the governing body of soccer, is investigating controversial comments made by the Canadian women’s soccer team after their semifinal loss to the U.S. Monday night.

At this point, it’s unclear if that could mean suspensions for Thursday’s bronze medal game against France.

The Canadians were critical of the work of Norwegian referee Christian Pedersen, including Canadian captain Christine Sinclair, who questioned her integrity.“We feel like we didn’t lose.

We feel like it was taken from us,” said Sinclair, who scored all of Canada’s goals in the game. “It’s a shame in a game like that, which is so important, that the ref decided the result before the game started.”

Said FIFA in a statement: “Following the Olympic Women’s semifinal match between Canada and the USA played at Old Trafford on the evening of 6 August, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee is currently analysing incidents that occurred after the conclusion of the match.

“Further information will be provided only after the Committee are in possession of all the elements of the case.”

That certainly makes it sound like Sinclair or other players could face disciplinary action including being suspended for Thursday’s bronze medal game against France.

This was in the back of my mind throughout this whole affair and I wondered if it would come up. On one hand, the comments the Canadian team and coach made after the match were disrespectful to the integrity of the game, but kicking them while they are down would be an unfortunate consequence.

Also, don’t waste your time reading the comments in that article…

“We feel like we got robbed in this game. The referee was very one-sided.”
-Erin McLeod

“The ref will have to sleep in bed tonight after watching the replays,”
-John Herdman

“It’s a shame in a game like that, which is so important, that the ref decided the result before the game started.”
-Christine Sinclaire

This is where I draw the line. If Canada wants to be upset about the result and the horrible officiating, which nobody is arguing was in any measure a good job, that’s fine. But coming out and complaining that they were robbed or the referee was only making calls for one side is absolutely, unequivocally, false.

How many times did we watch Melissa Tancredi throw a U.S. player to the ground and get away with it? How many fouls, on both ends of the field, went uncalled? If they want something to complain about, maybe they should be upset that they let in 2 goals before the controversial refereeing decision even happened.

Canada could have easily ended that match long before the 3rd goal. I’ll give this Canadian team all the credit in the world for how they played, this was the most competitive match between these two teams in history and just as tough of a win for the United States as the Brazil quarterfinal. However, there is no validity to the idea that the referee was the reason they lost.

Pick yourself up, dust off, and come back harder next time.

2012 London Olympic - Women’s Football Tournament

Day 2 Quick Look

Livestreaming Information

Primary: NBC Online (Requires Confirmation of Cable Package)
Secondary: TheFirstRow (Consistent, Confirmed Schedule)
Alternates: OleOleTV LiveTV SportLemon Rojadirecta JustinTV

Top