h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

FIFA have surely opened a large can of extremely wriggly worms with a decision that's just been announced here: http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/050906/1/4k3p.html .

What happened was this: Uzbekistan were leading Bahrain 1-0 in the first leg of a World Cup qualifying play-off when the Uzbekis were awarded a penalty. They appeared to score from the spot-kick - but the Japanese ref noticed some Uzbeki players encroaching into the penalty area as the kick was taken. He correctly disallowed the goal - but then awarded a free-kick to Bahrain, instead of ordering the penalty to be retaken.

An outrageous refereeing howler, to be sure, and one which brought understandable protests. The game ended 1-0, but the Uzbekis complained to FIFA - who have now ordered the game to be replayed. They've also postponed the second leg, which was to have been played this week, until after the first leg has been replayed.

All of which first of all makes you wonder how someone with such a poor knowledge of the rules got to referee such an important match. Uzbekistan v. Bahrain might not sound like a key fixture, but the winners of the tie will be just one more two-legged play-off away from a place at Germany 2006. But also, if a refereeing blunder is now grounds for a replay, will squads of lawyers be accompanying the teams of players to Germany next year?

Good grief - I'm sure we can all think of terrific howlers - mistaken sending offs, penalties that should never have been, penalties that should have been - but after all, they might have missed the penalty, or the other team could have gone straight down the other end and scored.

Frankly, I don't think FIFA know what they're doing anymore - mind you, I've thought that since the Bosman enquiry.

Yeah I particularly dislike FIFA in general, and Sepp Blatter specifically.

I cannot see how they are anything but a total waste of space.

For example how they seem to see "goal celebrations" as a cancer on the game that needs to be cured. But really dont care about "diving"