Many fine words have been written about the World Cup. We seem to have come to some tentative conclusions which, to summarise, are:
2. Hydration breaks should only happen when there is a danger of dehydration.
3. Extending half-time in the final for a bit of a show is in keeping with the culture of the USA but not of football. Never again please.
4. England fans love Vindaloo football - 'We're gonna score one more than you.' Risking losing it to win it gave us England 6 France 4 in the third place game. More please.
I want to add a brief post-script about two things.
Firstly that insufficient attention has been given to the genius chant post quarter-final when we beat Norway of 'You're not rowing any more.' And if that is because it wasn't chanted that is poor.
Secondly, and this is serious, I followed a few referees on social media commenting on incidents from the games. A couple agreed that an Argentinian foul, in the early moments of the semi-final with England, warranted a booking '...but not in the first minute of a World Cup semi-final.' In effect this means different interpretations of laws operate depending on the time in the match and its relative importance. This is inappropriate. Declan Rice had to live with the consequences of a first minute yellow card in an earlier round.
It was also the case that referees suggested the awarding of a penalty kick in a semi-final or final ought to be only for the most serious offences. Other situations would be interpreted in favour of the defender even if they would be penalised elsewhere on the pitch.
These two comments are a licence for dangerous play in the first five minutes or so of an important game and also for all sorts of shenanigans in the penalty area at set plays (which the authorities are trying to stop).
Laws should be interpreted consistently, at whatever level the game is being played, wherever the action is on the pitch and however much time has elapsed in the game.
Much to discuss, but on he whole I enjoyed it.
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