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Wolfgang Stark, the
German referee who handled the Nigeria-Argentina tie last Saturday, has
come under severe criticism from FIFA’s referees’ committee, for
allowing the goal that decided the game in favour of the South
Americans.

The FIFA’s
referee’s committee criticised Wolfgang Stark’s decision not to give a
foul for Walter Samuel’s obstruction in the build-up to the goal.

The Spanish
newspaper, Ole, reports that a FIFA post-match analysis ruled that
there was a foul in the build-up to Gabriel Heinze’s 6th minute
match-winning header, and that Stark should never have allowed the goal.

The FIFA referees’
committee released their findings on Tuesday, as a guide for future
judgments in this year’s tournament. And amongst other rulings, they
made it clear to referees that they must watch for infractions at
corners and free-kicks – specifically attacking players blocking
markers, as was the case last Saturday.

As Juan Sebastian
Veron’s cross floated over Argentine player, Walter Samuel grabbed
Nigeria’s Chinedu Obasi and prevented him from moving, thereby giving
Heinze all the space he needed to head the ball into the back of the
Nigerian net.

Stark should have,
therefore, penalised Samuel for obstruction and awarded a free-kick to
the Super Eagles – a judgment that could have changed the course of the
whole game for the Argentines, who missed several gilt-edged chances
owing to the brilliant form of Nigerian goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama.

Although the ruling comes too late for the Super Eagles, it has
interesting implications for the rest of the tournament; a sign that
FIFA will not tolerate the pushing, shoving, and holding commonplace on
both sides at dead-ball situations, and that in future, such offences
will be punished with either disallowed goals or penalties, in the case
of the defence committing an infraction.