FIFA nails Canada's Sinclair instead of looking in mirror

FIFA, the world's governing body for soccer, today announced that it would fine and suspend Canadian Women's National Team member Christine Sinclair for four international games.  FIFA suspended Sinclair for what they termed "unsporting behaviour towards match officials".  Presumably, FIFA was referring to comments Sinclair made after an Olympic semi-final loss to the United States Women's National Team in London.  Sinclair and other members of the Canadian team voiced displeasure at some very strange and seldom made calls by the Finnish ref.  The Canadians also referenced US Women's National Team member Amy Wombach, under who's influence, the referee made a game-changing series of calls.

By now, everyone knows the story.  In a bizarre sequence, an American player committed a hand-ball foul in her own penalty area, the result of which should have been a penalty kick for the Canadians which went unseen or uncalled.  Moments later, the Canadian goal-keeper was fingered for an almost-never-called delay of game penalty, under the urging of US player Abby Wombach who influenced the decision and intimidated the referee by counting out loud as the Canadian keeper rose to her feet after making a save and proceeded to play the ball. The referee awarded a direct kick to the Americans inside the Canadian 18yd box.  On the ensuing play the ball went off an unsuspecting Canadian player's arm as she turned away to shield herself from the ball kicked towards her from close range.  The result of the play was a game-tying penalty for the US team.

Needless to say, this turn of events led to much controversy and harsh comments towards the referee and FIFA from all corners of the globe.  The Canadian team was understandably outraged by what had taken place and found it hard not to voice their displeasure when confronted by members of the media after the game.  The Canadian team, determined as ever, went on to beat France in the Bronze medal game but will forever be wondering "what if" the officiating in their semi-final hadn't all but handed the Americans the game. 

As of the writing of this blog we have not received word if FIFA has named Abby Wombach its official time-keeper, or if this rarely-called foul can only be called when an American player asks for it to be called.  We have also not received word on whether FIFA determined Wombach's behaviour to be "unsporting" or not.

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