Looking to buy a bridge? FIFA has one for sale...

Well after countless refereeing errors so far at the World Cup, public and media outrage is at an all-time high. The people are demanding some sort of video replay to correct these game-changing debacles.

Fear not intrepid soccer fan, into the gap steps our hero, Sepp Blatter. A full review is promised! Apologies made to England and Mexico! In a single breath we are on the fast track into the 21st century and the introduction of technology into the beautiful game.

And after that I have this wonderful elixir that will triple your enjoyment of watching the World Cup. How? Why good sir, do you doubt me? At only $200 for a 12 ounce bottle, this is a bargain. How many cases shall it be?

Forgive me for my cynicism, but this comes across to me as nothing more than political pandering. Announce a full review, people will get off your back for the rest of the tournament. Then in a few months hold the review, decide to change nothing. People will complain but with the next World Cup more than three and a half years away it will pretty much go under the radar. Perfect plan!

Especially since we, the sporting public, will fall for it. He is very earnest our magnificent leader, isn't he. Bear with me though, and let's rewind a bit.

"The Hand of Gaul"

Thierry Henry "unintentionally" double handballs France past Ireland and into the World Cup. Mr. Blatter declares "blatant unfair play", a full review will be done. The Irish are still angry, but somewhat mollified and hopeful that something will be done. The furor dies down...

January 18, 2010 - Henry escapes punishment. Enough time has passed that it pretty much flies under the radar.

And that is the exact reason I don't believe Blatter for a second. FIFA makes money hand over foot. They have exactly ZERO reasons to change anything about the game, how they operate.

It doesn't matter if the perception is that they are corrupt, that they are stuck in the past, that they don't know what the heck they are doing. The sponsors are still paying, the TV contracts are selling at record prices. Countries (including the good old US of A) are preparing to spend billions of dollars to host future tournaments.

They have ZERO, ZERO, ZERO reason to change a damn thing. They have billions of reasons to keep things exactly the way they are.

I sincerely hope I am wrong, but this review will be lip service, nothing more.

Oh the Hypocrisy...

One week ago I posted how easy it was to root against the French without Zidane in the line-up.

Well that lasted about one week until kick-off of their game against Mexico. Theoretically I should root for the USA's CONCACAF brethren, but I just can't do it. I really, really, really dislike Mexico. Apparently more than the French.

Oh well, back to the game.

Edit/Update...

Well that stunk. Mexico needs just a tie to advance to the knockout stages. France is in deep, deep trouble.

Two takeaways from opening day...

Very tired and a bit under the weather, however in brief:

(1) With Zidane no longer playing it is so very, very easy to root against the French. I could never muster too much disdain for them when he was involved, however it was a joy to watch their frustrations today. I especially enjoyed the occasions where five French attackers would stand around and watch a sixth (usually Anelka) try and dribble/bull his way through multiple defenders, inevitably turning the ball over.

(2) Mexico does not discriminate when it comes to post match subs. I've always assumed it was a special hatred for the USA that caused the national team to leave the pitch without shaking hands with their opponents, especially following a disappointing result. Well, tonight they proved me wrong, snubbing the South Africans. In pointed contrast were the Uruguay and French teams embracing and exchanging shirts after their match.