Referees

Explaining Why Soccer Players Flop, Why It Isn’t Cheating And Three Ways To Stop It

Why soccer players flop. It’s a question that arises every World Cup, every club campaign, every Champions League season. It’s a debate that will rage on until VAR is universal. As we’ll explain, the reason why soccer players flop comes down to one simple factor — but we have three ways to stop the flop. 

Flopping, or simulation in official FIFA terminology, is the process of embellishing a foul or pretending to be fouled when none was committed in an attempt to deceive the referee. A referee who spots simulation can punish the offender with a yellow card. 

Fallout Over Perisic’s Handball Continues As Wenger And Mourinho Slam Penalty Decision

Croatia players and manager Zlatko Dalic were gracious in defeat yesterday, admitting that France deserved the victory following second half goals from Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe. However, the likes of Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic still left traces of disgust and defiance in their words when discussing the final’s turning points, particularly the VAR-assisted handball call against Ivan Perisic that sent Antoine Griezmann to the spot in the 38th minute. 

Who Is Nestor Pitana, The World Cup Final Referee?

The Russia World Cup goes full circle as Argentinian referee Néstor Pitana is cast as the leading arbitrator in the France vs. Croatia World Cup final in Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium. The 43-year-old physical education teacher, probably the most successful gym teacher of all time, will be aided by two more Argentinians Hernan Maidana and Juan Pablo Belatti with the Dutch Bjorn Kuipers as the fourth World Cup final referee.

Neymar Better Not Get Caught Diving Because He’s One Of 32 Players On Yellows

When Miguel Layún stepped on Neymar’s leg during their Round of 16 matchup, the Brazilian star immediately kicked out at the Mexican offender. Almost as quickly, Neymar pretended to writhe around in immense pain. The reason for this odd little dance on the ground is simple — Neymar is one of the many players on yellows heading into the World Cup quarterfinals. 

Including Neymar, there are 32 players on yellows ahead of the quarterfinals. If any of them pick up another card on Friday or Saturday, they will be suspended for the semifinals. 

First Use Of VAR At World Cup Controversially Gifts France Opening Goal

France meandered around the pitch for about 55 minutes without creating much in way of scoring opportunities. Then, with the help of the very first use of World Cup VAR, Les Bleus took the first lead of the match against Australia on an Antoine Griezmann penalty kick on Saturday. 

How Does VAR Work In Soccer And At The World Cup?

For the first time ever, the FIFA World Cup will utilize video replays after voting unanimously to adopt the system back in March. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) is most prominently used in Italy’s Serie A, Germany’s Bundesliga and MLS, but a World Cup debut is a different animal entirely. So how does VAR work in soccer and at the 2018 World Cup? Can you get sick from VAR?

Soccer Field Dimensions Explained: It's Not As Straightforward As You Think

Soccer field dimensions are anything but straightforward. Unlike the playing surfaces for football, basketball, hockey, tennis and most other sports, not all soccer pitches are created equally. FIFA does not stipulate the specific size of a football pitch, instead allowing a range of lengths and widths.

That said, there are requirements that must be met for every soccer pitch, many of which are more specific when it comes to international matches. 

Arda Turan Handed 16-Game Ban For Attacking An Official

Last Friday, Istanbul Basaksehir slipped to a disastrous 1-1 home draw with Sivasspor, a result that almost certainly handed the Turkish Super Lig title to either Galatasaray or Fenerbahce with only two matches to play. Leading 1-0 heading into second half stoppage time, Istanbul Basaksehir goalkeeper Volkan Babacan surrendered this calamitous own goal to doom his club’s title hopes.

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