I have a theory...

On what happened in the USA match when the Mali referee rescinded the winning goal...

Two US player were being fouled the shot was taken. I think the R saw those fouls, or at least the commotion and recognized in his mind that something was wrong. Then the goal is scored.

I think confused the attacking team from the defending team and signaled DFK for defense when he should have signaled PK. (Of course, given situation and proximity to the goal he should have given advantage and waited).

But I think he confused the two sides then signaled to support the USA, but for the wrong direction.

To support my theory, there is an angle that shows the referee raising his whistle just prior to the shot, telling me he's made a decision before the ball was in the goal.

Next, the DFK restart was placed at the place where the USA player (Dempsey or Bradley?) was being held (bear hugged), right at the top of the goal area.

What's the answer to this? With such a critical decision, to rescind a winning goal, how sure can you be NOT to look at your AR to confirm your decision? I'd love to see as the goal is scored what the lead AR's reaction was.

Next, as the AR in this situation, when your R makes such a big decision, how sure are you when you have not seen anything to support his decision? What do you do if R's decision is COUNTER to what you have seen occur? Do you have an obligation to say something?

Ultimately, the Referee Team must act as a team to get the decisions RIGHT, and don't restart until the team is satisfied they got that decision right.

Review of Referees so far...

Thought Batres of Guatamala did a great job in the Italy v New Zealand upset today. Did not think the PK foul for Italy was as controversial as the commentators thought: if you're ahead by 1, why would you be pulling your opponent's jersey in your penalty area.

Read on here:

http://referees.worldcupblog.org/news/sundays-referees-reviewed.html

France cheats its way into World Cup

Note how one of the top players in the world cheated to get his team into the World Cup. Poor Ireland.

This was clearly a nearly impossible situation for the referee team, Referee or the AR.

Incident brings to mind the idea of the spirit of the game and fair play.

Made me cringe to see Thierry Henry call for a handball in the France v Uruguay opener in the WC. Credit to that referee who saw it right, no handball at all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KIqwTNm8ZA&feature=fvw

France v Uruguay, Day 1

Congrats to the Referee in the match. Spot on some very critical and difficult decisions, including Send off and non-call handball!