The Need for Greater Action

If this World Cup has taught us anything it is that sometimes even when you cheat you win. Even when you do the most horrible things you get away with it. And the authorities concerned let you get away it because they either don’t care or are not concerned enough to take care of it. This is in sharp contrast to what you are taught growing up. You are told to do good and not cheat. Because cheating will lead to severe consequences from which there is no escape. I guess my parents and teachers were wrong then.

FIFA has failed us. The Beautiful Game has recently been full of ugliness and deception. And they are not doing anything about it. The punishments awarded to cheats and deceivers do not befit the extent of their crimes. And I am using this harsh tone on purpose because this is a very sensitive issue.

Today Ghana was robbed of a World Cup semifinal because of a player who used his hands quite deliberately to lob the ball away. The player in question (Luis Suarez) was sent off and Ghana awarded a penalty (which some deem sufficent punishment). The penalty was not converted, the match went to penalty shootouts and Uruguay won. I think Ghana was denied a win by blatant cheating and the player deserves more than was given. A year ban from football at least.

FIFA, however, will not do this. They will not punish Suarez any further and he will return soon playing football possibly even a World Cup final. How unfair is that to Ghana and it’s people who should currently be celebrating reaching a World Cup semifinal but instead the whole nation is engulfed in sadness after having their dreams snatched away from them. To Uruguayans Suarez is a hero but to most of the world he is a villain. He does not deserve any respect or rewards but he will get both and all because of FIFA and it’s ignorant attitude.

This is not the first controversy this World Cup has produced that could have been avoided if FIFA adopted a few minor changes. Poor officiating that cost them vital goals earlier hard did both England and Mexico. FIFA need to make only a few simple changes and all this can be forgotten but for whatever reason (probably money) they do not do so. They keep coming back with the same old excuses. Video technology, which could have avoided the most talked-about controversies, is still not used. Football is the only major sport in the world that does not take advantage of resources that have been available for years.

All I can say is shame on you FIFA and shame on you Sepp Blatter for making a mockery of the beautiful game. It’s time someone sensible takes charge. Someone who listens to the world’s reasonable demands. Someone who can make sure that heroes like Asamoah Gyan do not end up in tears because of all the wrong reasons.