FIFA 2010 world cup: A chapter that should never close

On Monday we will do what we have always done. Close a chapter and shift attention to other things, but the FIFA world cup in South Africa will remain a nice niche for events that have brought to the beautiful game the need for better self inspection. It has been one of the most interesting in recent memory. The upsets were astounding and the bridge between the big boys and the smaller teams was thoroughly sabotaged. From now onwards the contest will be fiercer and the tag of favourite should continue to diminish is substance.

As a stage where legends are ordained, the hallowed football pitches in South Africa produced a rude awakening or a couple of shocking realities. The stars that adorn massive bill board world wide and have turned club side merchandising into multi-million dollar empire flopped. Christiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Richardo Kaka and Lionel Messi are the undeniable icons of the modern game. What is a world cup worth if the stars of the game can not shine. Cagey tactics and negative antics flourished as a legitimate game plan for which firmer and consistent rules are veritable antidote.

And then the officiating. The officiating errors were jaw dropping. It is true that football is a human game, but a referee encased in the peculiar human flaw is not the best arbiter in the modern game. The soundest argument in favour of this is the rounded tool knocked around by the players, the jabulani ball designed by Adidas, with its tinniest entrails dabbed in technology. Why deny the referees the enormous advantage of having access to video technology in a game that has become so pacey.

By Monday, we should not close this chapter. The FIFA 2010 world cup has shown that the game needs fundamental changes in the rules (off side and the penalty for repeat yellow cards in two games) and the introduction of video technology in football. If we forget, it won't happen and the accusations of a systematic bias will trail football from now onwards, which is hardly good for the beautiful game.