http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=100760
Associated Press
BERLIN -- Franz Beckenbauer is annoyed at all the yellow cards being handed out by World Cup referees, and the tournament organizer accused an African official of stupidity on Friday.
Beckenbauer told ZDF television that Benin's Coffi Codjia's yellow cards in the match between Ecuador and Costa Rica "were stupid."
Codjia handed out five yellows, about average for the competition so far.
Beckenbauer said bookings for time wasting were ridiculous.
"As a referee in that situation, I have to go over to the player and let him know that next time he will receive a yellow card," Beckenbauer said. "If the players are booked again, they will miss a match -- and that is out of proportion."
FIFA has ordered referees at the World Cup to clamp down on time wasting by immediately carding offenders. Players were told about the harsher line in pretournament briefings.
The highly visible Beckenbauer is not thought to be interested in running for FIFA president, but could try for head of European soccer's governing body UEFA when Lennart Johansson retires. The former Germany captain's stock has risen sharply because of the smooth organization of this World Cup.
Referees handed out 102 yellow cards and five red cards in the first 21 matches of the competition, an average of 4.9 yellow cards per match. An average of 4.25 yellows per game were handed out at the 2002 World Cup: 272 yellows and 17 reds in 64 matches.
The number of cards shown has risen steadily over the years. In Spain in 1982, 98 yellow cards were shown.
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