June 20, 2010 7:21 PM 
Kaka shouldn't be banned
- Posted by Nigel Reed
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On Father's Day, appropriately enough, I am reminded at the end of Day 10 at the FIFA World Cup there are two things I cannot abide: Cheating and disrespect, which are appalling characteristics one tries not to pass onto one's offspring.
If I can manage to get the message across to my children, why can't some of the head coaches do likewise with a bunch of grown men in South Africa?
Referees have a tough job at the best of times. I for one respect the role they play if, for no other reason, there simply would be no game without them. Sure, we've seen some bizarre decisions at the World Cup but the players, too, have a responsibility.
Officials can only give what they see -- or what they think they see. Stephane Lannoy of France thought he saw Kaka elbow Kader Keita of the Ivory Coast in the face and brandished a second yellow card to the Brazilian superstar.
Keita collapsed to the pitch clutching his face minutes after Kaka had been cautioned. Keita was cheating, and the whole world knows it. Replays clearly showed Kaka's arm was nowhere near the Ivoirian's head, but the referee bought the entire act.
For some strange reason, this is known in the world of sport as gamesmanship.
Action needed from FIFA
I prefer not to mince my words, and I want action. FIFA must act to outlaw the con artists and impose a sanction which will act as a real deterrent.
First and foremost, Kaka's red card must be rescinded. Since he is one of FIFA's treasured jewels, there is a reasonable chance the World Cup organisers will climb down and let him play on.
Secondly Keita, who had also been booked, should be suspended for the final group game.
He should then be fined and thrown out of the World Cup. Only when FIFA takes draconian measures against this type of behaviour will players think twice before playacting to get fellow professionals sent off. It is a blight on the game and must be stamped out.
Keita and his like continue to stunt the growth of the game in our own backyard. The average North American sports fan, which gets his or her fill of soccer once every four years, will understandably keep at arm's length a sport where simulation is apparently par for the course.
If I didn't know better, so would I. When will these players understand they are not just representing their nations? When will they comprehend they are ambassadors for their sport? There are many reasons I love soccer. Cheating is not one of them.
French farce
The potential French farce, of which I wrote two months ago on this website, continues to unravel at alarming speed. The utter disrespect, prompted by Nicholas Anelka's ejection from the squad, leaves me scratching my head in bewilderment.
If not before, it is now crystal clear coach Raymond Domenech lost the dressing room long before the French squad arrived in South Africa. His decision, however, to withdraw an ineffective Anelka at halftime during the defeat to Mexico was entirely warranted.
Anelka's profanity filled verbal assault was as predictable as it was classless. He's such a talent and yet such a liability. If a grown man can't take a coach's decision, for the good of the team, he shouldn't be on the team in the first place.
The French players' symbol of solidarity -- a refusal to practice -- led to the resignation of the "ashamed" French team director. Seems no one is directing anything right now and the 2006 World Cup runners-up have become a laughing stock.
Have these players no self respect? This is the World Cup -- the highest expression of the game. These men have let down themselves, their fans and their nation. The French Federation should have seen it coming but did nothing. The federation also has blood on its hands.
Two hundred years ago, the French exiled the defeated Napoleon to the remote Mediterranean island of Elba. I'm sure there's room for Domenech, who like the former French Emperor, is about to abdicate.
If I can manage to get the message across to my children, why can't some of the head coaches do likewise with a bunch of grown men in South Africa?
Referees have a tough job at the best of times. I for one respect the role they play if, for no other reason, there simply would be no game without them. Sure, we've seen some bizarre decisions at the World Cup but the players, too, have a responsibility.
Officials can only give what they see -- or what they think they see. Stephane Lannoy of France thought he saw Kaka elbow Kader Keita of the Ivory Coast in the face and brandished a second yellow card to the Brazilian superstar.
Keita collapsed to the pitch clutching his face minutes after Kaka had been cautioned. Keita was cheating, and the whole world knows it. Replays clearly showed Kaka's arm was nowhere near the Ivoirian's head, but the referee bought the entire act.
For some strange reason, this is known in the world of sport as gamesmanship.
Action needed from FIFA
I prefer not to mince my words, and I want action. FIFA must act to outlaw the con artists and impose a sanction which will act as a real deterrent.
First and foremost, Kaka's red card must be rescinded. Since he is one of FIFA's treasured jewels, there is a reasonable chance the World Cup organisers will climb down and let him play on.
Secondly Keita, who had also been booked, should be suspended for the final group game.
He should then be fined and thrown out of the World Cup. Only when FIFA takes draconian measures against this type of behaviour will players think twice before playacting to get fellow professionals sent off. It is a blight on the game and must be stamped out.
Keita and his like continue to stunt the growth of the game in our own backyard. The average North American sports fan, which gets his or her fill of soccer once every four years, will understandably keep at arm's length a sport where simulation is apparently par for the course.
If I didn't know better, so would I. When will these players understand they are not just representing their nations? When will they comprehend they are ambassadors for their sport? There are many reasons I love soccer. Cheating is not one of them.
French farce
The potential French farce, of which I wrote two months ago on this website, continues to unravel at alarming speed. The utter disrespect, prompted by Nicholas Anelka's ejection from the squad, leaves me scratching my head in bewilderment.
If not before, it is now crystal clear coach Raymond Domenech lost the dressing room long before the French squad arrived in South Africa. His decision, however, to withdraw an ineffective Anelka at halftime during the defeat to Mexico was entirely warranted.
Anelka's profanity filled verbal assault was as predictable as it was classless. He's such a talent and yet such a liability. If a grown man can't take a coach's decision, for the good of the team, he shouldn't be on the team in the first place.
The French players' symbol of solidarity -- a refusal to practice -- led to the resignation of the "ashamed" French team director. Seems no one is directing anything right now and the 2006 World Cup runners-up have become a laughing stock.
Have these players no self respect? This is the World Cup -- the highest expression of the game. These men have let down themselves, their fans and their nation. The French Federation should have seen it coming but did nothing. The federation also has blood on its hands.
Two hundred years ago, the French exiled the defeated Napoleon to the remote Mediterranean island of Elba. I'm sure there's room for Domenech, who like the former French Emperor, is about to abdicate.
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About the Author
Nigel Reed
Nigel Reed brings his extensive experience, passion and knowledge of the game of soccer to his role as play-by-play announcer for Major League Soccer ON CBC.
Reed has more than 20 years experience covering soccer, most notably a five-year stint from 1999 to 2004 where he was a host and producer for the English Premier League for BBC. He also covered English Premier League giants Liverpool and Everton for BBC Radio and provided analysis for both BBC TV and the BBC website.
Reed, who will also call matches for CBC's FIFA broadcast package, covered weightlifting, taekwondo, soccer and equestrian for CBC's coverage of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games.
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