YOKOHAMA, Japan – Mexican defender Rafael Marquez, sent off in the
second-round match against the United States, was suspended by FIFA for
four international matches and fined $5,440.
Marquez was shown a straight red card after hitting Cobi Jones with a
high kick and a blow with his head. The United States won, 2-0.
Referee for the final? Yeah, it's the bald guy
YOKOHAMA, Japan – Pierluigi Collina, the Italian referee known for his
bald head and consistent officiating (not to mention his appearance in an
Adidas TV commercial), will be in charge of the World Cup final between
Brazil and Germany.
Collina, 42, refereed the highly anticipated Argentina-England game in
the first round and the second-round Japan-Turkey match.
Conspiracy theorists note: Germany is outfitted by Adidas, Brazil by
Nike.
Briefly ...
With only two games remaining in the World Cup, no doping cases have been
reported, FIFA's medical chief said. ... Belgium is virtually assured of
winning the FIFA Fair Play Award, which takes into account the number of
yellow and red cards a team receives and its behavior on and off the
field. Attacking play also is rewarded.
