bob, when it comes to fifa and uefa they are as crooked as it gets, case in point last years world cup. Collina is indeed a good ref, somewhat overestimated if you ask me but that's besides the point, and was brought in for the game to add his fame and presence in a hard to officiate game, in what is arguably one of the most hostile environments to play football, Turkey that is. I am not questioning his capabilities here, i am wondering if he's gotten any instructions to try as much as possible for a draw as an end result, so as both to have england go through to the euro (england out of the euro is out of the question for the organisers imo), not aggravate turkish fans too much with a possible loss, and give turkey a fair chance of competing with the rest of the best 2nds in their groups for the euro. That of course is just speculation, and might have no bearing in reality, but it's crossed my mind more than once and i thought i d mention it.
Οfficiating οrders top down in world or europian national team events play a tremendous role in international football. I remember betting against the korean "miracle" in the previous world cup and losing dearly to the likes of some nobody refs from, say uganda or some other place not even on the map, in games with italy or spain, and seeing players being sent out, goals cancelled, fouls called the wrong way, it's hard to get over such, and a lot other, blatant "errors", so i ve made it a point to considers officiating as a factor in my capping, even a small one.
