It was a disgraceful penalty call.
I suspect the Japanese ref team was assigned this match because FIFA thought it would be a big mismatch and the ref crew would have no impact on the result. FIFA was wrong.
The best refs are all in the big European leagues and a few in South America. There might be a few in the U.S.
I’m glad from the article, the Croatian Manager was very critical of the referees and he may well get fined. But maybe it will help the Cup in the bigger picture.
Bad officiating in the World Cup is just typical though.
http://us.soccerway.com/matches/2010/06/27/world/world-cup/argentina/mexico/881620/?ICID=PL_MS_04
There was an atrocious goal given to Argentina vs. Mexico in 2010, the goalkeeping crew were from Europe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAzKYWiv2_E
That was a bad call and up until that point, Mexico had the better of play. European referees. So I wouldn’t isolate one region.
In South Africa I think some and maybe even one African official gypped the USA. I think FIFA withdrew one of those referees from the tournament after that match vs. Slovenia.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMftczhqniU
You’re right SeaHawkFan, never a penalty in a million years. The ref folded under pressure. I feel a certain amount of sympathy for him. I can only imagine how intense it must be to be put in charge of such a high profile game. That’s what he signed up for though. Croatia deserved a point.
I had no idea that the Croatian coach, Niko Kovac, was so inexperienced. The stuffed suits will probably fine him, but he only spoke the truth. I think Croatia have enough about them, to get out of the group. An encouraging start for them. (goalkeeping issues aside!)