As the World Cup ambles toward completion, the much-maligned Fédération Internationale de Football Association continues holding its breath in hopes that the "did he or didn't he/yuck, I guess he did" biting incident involving Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez will go down as the tournament's most controversial moment. That, or Dutch winger Arjen Robben's boo-boo, resulting in a winning penalty kick that knocked Mexico from the tourney.
My advice to FIFA? Don't bet on it.
I've seen more arguments, protests, alleged rules violations and near brawls in one of my 12-year-old daughter's club soccer games. Sure, all are parent-driven but since, I assume, all World Cup participants have parents, it's only a matter of time before the world's finest footballers' mommies or daddies cry foul. FIFA, I've read the World Cup rule book. Save yourself future agony and consider making the following changes, preferably immediately, but at least before the 2018 tournament commences. Most will make no sense; just bear in mind who you're dealing with.
- Players must all be from the same country... unless somebody finds a really awesome goalie from another country and can somehow, some way, get him to play for our team without anybody finding out.
Copyright 2014 Greg Schwem distributed by Tribune Content Services, Inc.