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Message: [QUOTE="upstater, post: 2410500, member: 153"] It is very hard for me to watch FIFA do the things it does. It banned one of Greece's top players, probably its top player, Kostas Manolas, twice for the same yellow card for wasting time at the end of a win against Cyprus in the qualifying round. 3 of Croatia's goals were the direct result of having a wingback move into central defense to take over Manolas's spot (from a poor pass to the goalie from a central back, which forced the goalie to take down a pressing attacker in the box, which resulted in an immediate penalty kick, to the new wing back (typically a midfielder) chesting a long ball to the goalie with an attacker right on his heels, and finally a mix-up as the first wing back (who was now supposed to be playing CB) came out to double an attacker on the wing, leaving a striker alone in front of the short side of the goal for an excellent cross, flick into the goal)). Manolas was banned for the game immediately after Cyprus. Then over a month went by, and during the week of the playoff game, AFTER CALL-UPS, Fifa announced an extra game ban because they said his yellow card was deliberate. Of course it was deliberate, he was wasting time while ahead late in the game! Such a ban has not been made before. You have players like Falcao agreeing with their opponent to get a yellow to clear their ledger--which strikes me as a much more deliberate act than what Manolas did. I hate whatever goes on at FIFA--one of the most corrupt organizations. [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach