FIFA is investigating comments made by Canadian players and their coach following the USA’s 4-3 overtime win in Monday’s semifinals of the Olympic women’s soccer competition.
At issuewas the decision of Norwegian referee Christiana Pedersen to call Canada goalie Erin McLeod for time-wasting, leading tothe USA’s tying goal in the 80th minute.
“We feel cheated.” said Christine Sinclair, who scored a hat trick. “It’s a shame that in a game asimportant as that, the ref decided the result before it started.”
Added teammate Melissa Tancredi: “I feel robbed. That’s all Ican say. I said to [Pedersen], ‘I hope you can sleep tonight and put on your American jersey because that’s who you played for today.’”
Canada said on Tuesday itwould not ask for FIFA to investigate Pedersen.
Coach John Herdman has asked for some understanding in this investigation. By his estimation, the interviews were conducted on field right after the game while emotions were still high. Consideration must be given for this, anyone who has been involved in such an emotional game understands that comments will be made in the heat of the moment that are later regretted. The media is quite aware of this and intentionally seeks out the best and most controversial comments, they make better press than those that are given after thoughtful contemplation.