Should TV be the World Cup's ultimate arbiter?

By BILL SAPORITO

layers, not referees, are supposed to decide the outcome of La Coupe du Monde, but last week the men with the whistles made horrible intrusions--that is, when they weren't swallowing their instruments, say, as Austria was hacking its way through Italy. The undulating performances of the arbiters had the victims howling for the use of video replays, even after one replay ultimately vindicated the ref's decision.

In Norway's win against Brazil, American referee Esfandiar Baharmast whistled for what was immediately called an "imaginary" penalty two minutes from time when Norwegian forward Tore Andre Flo was sent sprawling by what seemed the slightest nudge from Brazil's Junior Baiano. The decision, which led to Norway's 2-1 upset win, cost Morocco a well-deserved spot in the second round. "C'est terrible," commentators intoned.

Yet two days later, a tape from a camera shooting from behind the Brazil net caught Baiano clearly grabbing Flo's jersey, pulling him to the ground. That only increased the volume of the clamor for videotape replays to help decide controversial calls. (Soccer fans, please note: America's National Football League tried replay reviews, but abandoned them for being too slow and inconclusive.)

Cameroon, a favorite in France, also went home courtesy of a controversial call. The Lions came roaring back from a 1-0 deficit against Chile, scoring three times. Alas, the referee disallowed two of those goals, most notably Francois Omam Biyick's because of an apparent, albeit still unseen--from any camera angle--foul on the pass from Patrick Mboma. "I have no idea why the referee refused it," said Mboma. "It's difficult not to be disappointed when you leave the World Cup this way."

Referee problem? What problem? Incoming FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who two weeks ago was encouraging referees to issue red cards, developed a sudden lack of interest. "We live with human error," said he. "There's pain and tears, I understand it, but that's football." Well said from a man who already has a ticket for the final.