Time to pull up your futbol'ing socks, FIFA ( July 3, 2006 )

What is happening at "The Greatest Show on Earth" this time, is extremely boring.

It just isn't worth burning the midnight oil to watch England and Portugal hold each other off for a 0-0 draw. And Brazil, the less said the better.

The match I enjoyed the most this time was PaysBas - Portugal, and that for entirely non-footballing reasons. I admit, its politically incorrect, and boorish behaviour and all that, but that was one heck of a street-fight !

If WorldCup Football is this boring, ICC might have an easy job on their hands in spreading Cricket around the world.

Football needs some visionary changes to make it more exciting. Here's a start...

* Liberal use of red-cards. When there are only 4 people from each side left on the field, I want to see how people can play a defensive game and how coaches can justify it !

* Allow sledging and more body contact. Let the boys get into their elements, maybe that will raise the level of the game.

* More African teams and less European teams. Its an eyesore to see wannabe's like Ukraine/Suisse and has-been's like Italy ( who eventually went on to win the tournament ). I want to see more Ghanas and Cameroons and Nigerias out there.

* A round of penalties every 30 mins. That should shake people out of their smugness, and ensure that they dont start stonewalling after taking a 1-0 lead in the 8th minute.

* Red Cards should be more contextual. For instance, bringing down a dude who has already scored 2 goals in the tournament should exclude the offender from the next two games, and also, the offending team should start with one less man for the next two games.

* Third umpires !!! Let a referee look at TV replays and buzz the onfield ref if he spots a dive or a foul. A dive should be a straight redcard, for interrupting the flow of the game.

Howzatt ?