FIFA Decline to Investigate Byron Moreno in wake of his Drug Arrest
FIFA refereeing committee have finally broken their silence regarding the Byron Moreno drug scandal and it isn’t what most people expected. According to Ted Howard, who serves as CONCACAF secretary general and also chairs FIFA's referees committee, the refereeing committee will not be launching any sort of investigations. Howard has declared that FIFA’s refereeing committee is not really an investigating body and even if some sort of enquiry is launched, the refereeing committee will not be a part of it.
Byron Moreno has hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons recently, not for the first time though. His Career as a referee is blighted with controversy. His decisions in the Italy-South Korea match during the World Cup 2002 led to Azzurri’s expulsion from the competition and the Italians are still bitter regarding the incident.
Franco Carraro who sits in the International Olympic Committee and is a member of FIGC thinks the referee wasn’t under drug influence rather it was his inability that led to his atrocious refereeing.
It seems the Italians have found redemption in the referee’s arrest as former coach Giovanni Trapattoni has also decided to comment on the incident. "I knew even before the kick off against Korea that things went going to be well with that referee in charge”, blasted the Italian. Trapattoni was the coach of the Italian National team when they exited the competition after a run of refereeing decisions went against them.
Fans and analysts alike have called for an investigation to be launched so that the sanctity of the beautiful game may be kept intact. FIFA President Sepp Blatter in particular is being blasted for ever declining refereeing standards. Many have called on him to incorporate technology in the refereeing field but he has refused to budge so far. Critical matches have been influenced by poor refereeing in the recent past and the Argentina – Mexico first knockout stage fixture ended in controversy after Tevez’s opener was allowed to stand despite the Argentine being several yards offside. FIFA’s indifference towards the issue will be a huge talking point over the next few days and one can only hope the governing body takes some concrete steps for the future of the sport.
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