The scoreline will forever read that the Mexicans beat Panama 2-1, but that doesn’t begin to tell the story of a clash that was decided by a dreadful refereeing decision with less than two minutes of regulation remaining and marred by ugly scenes of discontent from players and fans alike.
American referee Mark Geiger awarded Mexico a hotly-contested penalty kick just when it looked as though Panama, reduced to 10 men for most of the night and leading 1-0, would hang on for a famous victory and set up a showdown with Jamaica in Philadelphia on Sunday.
Geiger pointed to the spot after Roman Torres, who earlier put Panama ahead, tangled with Mexico’s Carlos Esquivel in the penalty area, before falling on top of the ball and being called for a handball. But not only did Torres not handle the ball at all, it striking his upper arm and shoulder as he landed atop it, but Geiger should have spotted the clear foul by Esquivel that caused the tumble in the first place.
Then the circus began. Hundreds of beer cups and water bottles rained down upon the field, most in celebration from Mexican supporters, some in fury from Panama’s small fan contingent. Panama’s players first surrounded Geiger, then walked towards the sidelines, refusing to continue.
Scuffles broke out between the rival benches. Suited soccer administrators stalked the sidelines, trying to restore order. More than 10 minutes ticked by, filled with furious ranting and arm-waving from all parties. Neutrals wondered if the game would be called off and didn’t know whether to shake their head or shake their fist at the unfairness of it all.
All the while the whiff of suspicion about CONCACAF, perhaps the oiliest of all soccer’s odious political confederations, rose high once more.
When sanity finally resumed Andres Guardado promptly strode up to the penalty spot, slammed the ball into the bottom corner and took the game into extra time. By then, utterly dispirited and feeling the world, let alone the referee, was against them, there was only one way this was going to end for Panama.
Sure enough, it was another penalty in extra time, this time the correct call, that put Mexico over the line. Guardado again converted, and he is making a habit of such things, with this coming just days after a terrible call ruined the end of Mexico’s quarterfinal victory over Costa Rica.
For the second match in succession, Mexico’s supporters applauded the referee from the field in irony. Panama’s players rushed Geiger at the final whistle, before security stepped in and ushered the official away to safety.
The latest controversy casts a murky tone over the tournament. Geiger is normally a fine referee, one of the best in Major League Soccer, but he made a serious error of judgment.
Social media went predictably crazy, the common theme being that Panama had been the latest team to be “CONCACAF’d.” Certainly, given the level of alleged corruption that was unearthed by the FBI about the organization’s prior practices, it is easy to see why conspiracy theories abound.
You’ll have a hard time convincing Panama that what happened here was legitimate but in reality that was likely no elaborate plot. Geiger is just human, and he messed up – badly.
So Mexico carries on to the final, where it will be an overwhelming favorite to beat Jamaica. And the Gold Cup of 2015 will goes down as a punchline, a bit of ludicrous and laughable comic value in a fine summer of soccer."
No comments:
Post a Comment