Kewell: Refs favour big guns

[the_gun]

Australian striker Harry Kewell has urged FIFA to do something about the bias of international referees against the less celebrated teams.

Kewell, who was controversially sent off in the match against Ghana, told News Limited after the Socceroos’ early exit from the FIFA World Cup that his country had been treated unfairly.

He said Australia had been on the end of six bad calls in seven World Cup matches, dating back to a foul on goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer in its 2006 World Cup opener against Japan that went unpunished and led to a goal.

"What are FIFA doing about it when teams like us are getting hammered and the bigger teams don't?" he said.

"We've been told to play the game fair, and I think we do.

"Nothing against the bigger teams, but they're allowed to do it because of who and what they are."

Kewell also defended much-maligned coach Pim Verbeek, who has taken most of the blame for Australia tumbling out at the group stages in South Africa.

He conceded Verbeek was "rattled" after the opening 4-0 loss to Germany but said he regrouped well for the two subsequent matches - a 1-1 draw with Ghana and a 2-1 win over Serbia.

He said if Australia had managed to squeeze into the next round, the Dutchman would have been a national hero.

"I do believe the Germany game rattled him and hit him for six," Kewell said.

"I think he was all over the shop for a bit, but he composed himself well enough for the Ghana game.

"We worked so hard and, to be fair, two decisions killed him. But he can walk away with his head held high.

"Everyone killed him after the Germany game but if he got through to the last 16, he would've been one of the greats. It's on a knife's edge."

The 31-year-old said Verbeek's only failing was to misread the mood of the Socceroos, who wanted to play an attacking game against Germany.

"We don't fare well in defensive organisation - we go out there to try and run over teams and that's probably why Guus (Hiddink) had such a good stint," Kewell said.

"He let us off the leash and let us go wild.

"I'm not saying that Pim totally restricted us, but sometimes you need to gamble."

Kewell said he was aiming to play on for Australia until the 2014 World Cup.

[Steve#4]

Time for complaining is over....Move on..

[SpursOnTheRise]

How have they been favouring the big teams? Germany had Klose sent off, Brazil had Kaka sent off. I think the poor decisions have been split pretty evenly. Harry, cry harder.

[the_gun]

Time for complaining is over....Move on..

he is absolutely right though

[Mr Magoo]

How can this guy, who was on the park for 24mins, have the arrogance to comment on whether the coach was doing his job well or not? He needs to look at his own performance first. Cock.

[Googes]

Harry on the money about Pim. Pim should have been sacked and put on a plane to morroco after the comments in the dutch media about australian football and current team.

[M160RA]

Whinger.

Having said that, how the fuck did that Brazilian not get a straight red for reaching up and stopping the ball when Ronaldo was on the point of flying past him? Yellow only!

[PhilDunphy]

Harry on the money about Pim. Pim should have been sacked and put on a plane to morroco after the comments in the dutch media about australian football and current team.

what did he say?

[totsreds08]

wouldn't say they favoured big teams either. ghana isn't a big team in this comp. the reffing is just shit

[soccerman]

shut up harry, work on your handballs for the next four years

[Bresciano]

Certainly happens in the EPL.

The refs were ready for us. Our behaviour in the lead up had them on red alert. What happened no surprise.

[Petro83]

fk up everyone! harry is right on the money.

[Petro83]

to every person who bags the socceroos and is born in this country go and jump in front of a bus! bunch of wankers!
support your home nation for fk sake.

[the_gun]

fk up everyone! harry is right on the money.

[Rob Lozza]

Kewell, who was controversially sent off in the match against Ghana...

For the last time: now he was not. The laws regarding DOGSO are quite clear. Move on, 'arry.

[Hosovac]

Certainly happens in the EPL.

Happens in most leagues actually...

Aussies had a good run last WC with the officials...this time around they feel hard done by. Suck it up and move on.

[ozzie owl]

Time for complaining is over....Move on..

he is absolutely right though

Its true England got screwed last night by the ref and they are less celebrated side (since 1966)