Interesting article from the NYTimes Magazine exploring why the rest of the world (non-US, that is) takes soccer so seriously (registration req.) Also delves into the impact of soccer on politics -- PM Harold Wilson blaming his reelection defeat on England's loss in the 1970 W.C. ... The desperate hope that an Argentine win this year will revive that country. And this nugget: "The game probably matters even more in Iran, a state gripped in recent years by what has been
called ''a soccer revolution.'' This began in 1997, when the Iranian team beat Australia to qualify
for the '98 World Cup. Thousands of women broke into the stadium to join the celebrations,
some removed their veils and, at street parties across the country, men and women danced and
kissed, defying government warnings and clerical taboos.

Last fall, as Iran again looked as if it would qualify for the World Cup, the street parties resumed. Initially the fans just seemed to be expressing national pride, but in some towns the mood changed. Fans attacked state-owned banks and other public buildings, chanting, "Death to the
Mullahs." There were even chants in support of the exiled monarchy. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, were arrested over several nights.

Eventually Iran had only to beat tiny Bahrain, a team it should have dominated, to qualify for the
World Cup. The tournament would have brought weeks of street parties and demonstrations. So when Iran lost the game 3-1, rumors abounded in Tehran that the mullahs had pressured the players to lose, in what may be a unique case of a regime wanting its national team to fail. No one knows, but Iran's forwards appeared so unwilling to try to score that at one point the Iranian television commentator exclaimed, "Why doesn't someone shoot that ball?"

A big issue will be the enforcement of a particular rule that sounds like it was written for drama queens. IMO soccer is unsurpassed for it's rep as a training school for Broadway. For background, this is from the official rulebook for FIFA and the World Cup:


Additional Instructions for Referees Assistant Referees and Fourth Officials

Simulation

A player who attempts to deceive the referee by feigning or pretending to have been fouled is guilty of simulation and must be cautioned for unsporting behaviour.

Refs have been chosen in part, a very large part, for their ability to distinguish between the real injuries and the fakes in the heat of a game and an international spotlight.

Only one ref is from the USA and he may have as much of a security requirement as the players.

To get the full context you could drudge through this primer for novices and pros alike:

http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/releases/Q&A_2000_E.pdf

Sportinlife, you are so right in picking out this detail in international futbol. The over acting of players trying to sell a foul is something with which viewers and players of the United States seem especially uncomfortable. In the past it was not uncommon to watch a U.S. player get completely disgruntled with opponents rolling around in faux agony to get the call. Oddly, I think the U.S. guys are getting better at doing it themselves. Just another adjustment the players from this country have needed to make to be competitive.

I'm glad it is a point of interest to the officials. I hope they crack down on it this year, but what a tough thing to enforce. I hate watching top players ham it up. They just looks so whiney. But I'm from the U.S. where we were coached to take the hits and play on like it never happened. Macho thing? Dunno, but it's funny to watch the same mentallity play out on the pick-up fields between american guys and players from other countries.

Interesting example of grassroots level diplomacy in this story about the South African player who stole jewelry from a Seoul, South Korea shop.

I thought the player, Khalilou Fadiga, who stole the jewelry was from SENEGAL? Hmmm....

Rivaldo of Brazil is being investigated for "simulation"; the Turkish player kicked the ball at his thighs, yet Rivaldo fell down dramatically as if he'd been kicked in the face. I think the possible penalties are over the top; playacting is part of soccer. The refs need to do a better job of watching the plays carefully.

Can the U.S. pick it up against Portugal? I hope so.