Who is the villain of the 2010 World Cup?

June 11, 2010 - South Africa - Football - South Africa v Mexico FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 - Group A - Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa - 11/6/10..FIFA president Sepp Blatter (L) and South African president Jacob Zuma before the match.

By Eric Beard

In 2006, Marco Materazzi stood out to many as a villain for his unbecoming words that caused Zinedine Zidane to lose his cool, sparking the infamous headbutt. However, this time around, there are all sorts of villains. From the FIFA administration’s reluctance to provide referees with the tools to make correct decisions to absolutely atrocious calls made to handballs to cursed celebrities, South Africa has been the home to a whole lot of controversy. Here’s my list of 2010’s villains that were present in Africa.

Sepp Blatter and FIFA

Always happy to be the centre of attention, Blatter and his stubborn, old-school ideas have made neutrals and supporters of the likes of the United States, England, and Mexico outraged. Goal-line technology, in some form, is needed in football. At least when the stakes are this high. But Blatter, in his dictator-esque role, is no stranger to stubborn, illogical thought. Conservative in his ways, the winners of matches have been placed in jeopardy because of his reluctance to use some sort of video replay at the game’s biggest stage. Sepp, this is a disgrace to football. 

The Referees

June 18, 2010 - South Africa - Football - Slovenia v United States of America FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 - Group C - Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa - 18/6/10..USA's Benny Feilhaber and Michael Bradley (R) remonstrate with referee Koman Coulibaly (C) after Maurice Edu's (Not Pictured) goal was disallowed.

From Jorge Larrionda (Germany-England) to Koman Coulibaly (United States-Slovenia) to Carlos Batres (Spain-Paraguay), blown calls have never been in such abundance in a World Cup. Sure, they’re only human and they’re not getting too much help from FIFA as there could be extra officials on the touchlines or even instant replay, but some of these mistakes have been unforgivable. It’s a hard job to be the man in the middle, but to many, these men are nothing but villains who don’t have to explain themselves.

Luis Suarez

Uruguay's Luis Suarez (9) handles the ball at the goal line during extra time in the 2010 World Cup quarter-final soccer match against Ghana at Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg July 2, 2010. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach (SOUTH AFRICA - Tags: SPORT SOCCER WORLD CUP)

While some football fans have been defending his “Mano De Diablo”, saying he reacted just like anyone trying not to lose would, supporters of African football absolutely hate this guy. Hate is a strong word, but if anyone watching the third place match between Germany and Uruguay saw how Suarez was being booed every time he touched the ball, then you would realise it is oh so appropriate. Suarez, I wouldn’t plan a trip to Accra anytime soon, that’s for sure.

Patrice Evra & the French mutiny squad

June 20, 2010 - Knysna, South Africa - epa02212933 Raymond Domenech (L) and Patrice Evra (R) minutes before the team refused to train in Knysna, South Africa, 20 June 2010. The team arrived at a open training and greeted members of the public, only to then return to the team bus. After 30 minutes the team coach, Raymond Domenech read a statement to the media where the team declared their unhappiness with the way Nikolas Anelka was booted off the squad and sent back to France for insulting the coach. The national team director Jean-Louis Valentin stormed off in disgust at the team's behaviour, shouting at the media that he is resigning and going back to Paris.

While AFR writers Darshan and Ulysse covered the French chaos very thoroughly, it is worth stating once again how much of a disgrace this group was to the nation of France and to football as a whole. Some call it karma, others just call it overpaid children embarrassing themselves, and the Irish simply have enjoyed every second of it. But honestly, football is not about scuffles in the locker room, and because of what happened in South Africa French football may never be the same.

Manuel Neuer

June 27, 2010 - Bloemfontein, South Africa - epa02227144 epa02226352 German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is beaten and the ball touches down behind the goal line but referee ruled that the ball did not crossed the line during the FIFA World Cup 2010 Round of 16 match between Germany and England at the Free State stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa, 27 June 2010.

Neuer, Germany’s 24-year-old keeper, has impressed many neutrals. But not the English. After Frank Lampard scored a good goal that the referees did not count, Neuer admitted to a bit of gamesmanship. Neuer said, “I tried not to react to the referee and just concentrate on what was happening. I realised it was over the line and I think the way I carried on so quickly fooled the referee into thinking it was not over.” You cheeky little…

Mick Jagger

June 26, 2010 - 06092210 date 27 06 2010 Copyright imago BPI Former President of The United States of America Bill Clinton administration Watches ON From The stand Next to Rolling Stones Lead Singer Mick Jagger PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUKxFRAxNEDxESPxSWExPOLxCHNxJPN Football men World Cup National team international match Rustenburg Eighth finals Celebrities Spectators Private Vdig 2010 horizontal premiumd Football.

The Rolling Stones legend has attended a few knockout stage matches in South Africa. When Mick was supporting the US against Ghana, the Yanks lost. When Mick was supporting England vs. Germany, England lost/were destroyed. When Mick supported Brazil against the Netherlands, the Dutch pulled the upset of the tournament. And most recently, when Mick wanted Argentina to down the Germans, Maradona, Messi, and company were thrashed as well. So, as our friends over at Dirty Tackle have labeled the rock star, I have to agree that Mick is the World Cup’s angel of death.

Paul the Psychic Octopus

Spain's Andres Iniesta holds a mock version of Paul the oracle octopus as he and his team mates celebrate their World Cup victory on a stage in Madrid July 12, 2010. The octopus, who lives in an aquarium in the German city of Oberhausen, had picked Spain to beat the Netherlands in Sunday's final. REUTERS/Juan Medina (SPAIN - Tags: SPORT SOCCER WORLD CUP IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Just like Mick Jagger, Paul the psychic octopus is also choosing the fates of nations. Paul went 6-0 when choosing the Germans, predicting four Germany wins, but also predicting Serbia’s upset and Spain’s win. He also correctly chose Germany to take 3rd place and Spain to win the World Cup. So call it what you will, but this little marketing tool character is getting quite a bit of attention. The Spanish love him, but the Dutch and the Germans… uh… not so much.

Who has been your favourite villain?

Need a new pair of boots for the upcoming season? The Nike Mercurial Vapor boot is perfect for a striker trying to be the quickest on the pitch, but the Adidas Adizero is a great lightweight boot as well.

24 Notes/ Hide

  1. philosofooty reblogged this from cheekychip
  2. xgislen answered: You missed the stupid JABULANI ball !!!!
  3. dw38638 answered: The Holland defense which took no prisoners in the final & ended up having legions of soccer fans around the world rightfully cheer for Spain
  4. bellerephon answered: THAT DOUCHEBAG REFEREE THAT GAVE MIROSLAV KLOSE A RED CARD.
  5. afootballreport reblogged this from cheekychip
  6. socratinho answered: Definitely Blatter and his cronies.
  7. safayet answered: Eric, congrats on writing this without a single mention of ‘unpredictable Jabulani ball. You should work for ITV.’
  8. yourfangirl answered: The ref who gave Kaka the red card. Brazil- Ivory Coast. :|
  9. cheekychip posted this