Pelescores World Cup refereeing
By PATRICK J.KILLEN
During theNovember 20, 2001 UNICEF and FIFA press conference at the UN toannounce the launch of a global alliance for children and thededication of the 2002 World Cup to children.
TOKYO, (UPI) -- Refereeingat this year's World Cup tournament has been less than stellar,and soccer's governing body should consider some rule changesin September, according to soccer immortal Pele.
The Brazilian great, now61, suggested video replays could help to determine whether playershad really been fouled or whether they were "play-acting"when deciding fouls and penalty kicks. Referees could also bestationed behind the nets at either end of the soccer field toprovide a better view of offsides complaints and disputed goals.
However, he told reportersat the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan, the people on theFIFA rules committee were very conservative and "It is hardto change the rules."
He noted particularly thegame Tuesday in which Italy lost to South Korea had some "badcommunications" but "I can't say it was unfair."
Pele admitted it would bedifficult to stop matches and have video replays on most disputedcalls because it would disrupt play in a fast-moving game thatdoes not have time-outs or long halftime periods. He also acknowledgedthat it is easy to second-guess a referee by studying a videoreplay several times but referees have to make quick decisionswithout any help.
Asked about the possibilityof an African nation hosting the 2010 World Cup (the 2006 WorldCup will be in Europe), Pele replied hosting the tournament wasvery expensive and he was not in favor "of taking money fromthe people" to finance a soccer tournament. As for sharingthe load, as co-hosts Japan and South Korea are doing this year:"There are lots of problems, and I don't think FIFA willdo it again."
Pele also spoke of his childhoodin Brazil, noting that his first name is actually Edison afterThomas Edison, the American inventor. He said when he was 8 yearsold his family moved to Sao Paolo and all the boys in his schoolgave him the nickname Pele. He was proud of his name Edison, hesaid, and once was suspended for school for two days for fightingover it.
"Today," he saidwith a big smile," I love Pele. Everybody knows Pele. Edison,nobody knows."