The referee misery at this World Cup

Advantage and letting the game flow

Ravshan Irmatov let the game flow at all prize ignoring quite a lot of stuff in midfield and gave advantage even in the defensive part of the field which is not really a wise thing to do. There were a few good avantages played but on the hole quite a lot of holding, pushing and sliding went through the net. He gave a yellow for Höwedes for a nasty challenge after eleven minutes from behind so I thought thank goodness after all a referee who hasn't forgotten that he has cards to use in his pocket. But then, things went downhill - Beckermann fouled three times before finally getting booked in the second half, Jones should have received a yellow for dissent and Bradley slided into this opponent with an open foot before half time - he received a lecture and not what he deserved - a yellow card. He fouled again after the break which could have easily been yellow - again no reaction by the official. In my mind, it was too little in terms of man management and taking a stand what you don't want to see. Leniency again for the sake of it - this sums up my problem with this WC in refereering terms.

Where do we go from here?

Maybe FIFA wants to get rid of banning players for a game after two yellows or wants to stress with as little yellow cards as possible that it has been the fairest WC todate. I think this strategy is rubbish and doesn't help the referees to do their job properly. Irmatov was too inactive in this game in my judgement and will only receive a medium mark as it was below expectations after his performance four years ago. His fitness, his communication skills and his clairvoyance are still there but somehow FIFA doesn't want him to use them to a great extent. I am not convinced by this line, but would be happy if there was a debate about it. Are referees too lenient in this WC? I think so.