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On what happened in the USA match when the Mali referee rescinded the winning goal...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