Why the World Cup produces an ugly version of the beautiful game
FIFA could emulate other sports by tweaking rules to generate more excitement, writes sports analyst James Tozer.
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The World Cup offers mesmerising moments such as Argentinian midfielder Diego Maradona (centre) dribbling past a sea of English defenders during the 1986 match in Mexico City.
PHOTO: AFP
The Economist
During this year’s World Cup, three outcomes are guaranteed. First, fans of one country will experience nirvana, while those in 47 others (up from 31 previously) will be heartbroken.
Second, there will be moments of everlasting genius and infamy. There could be a goal as mesmerising as Diego Maradona’s solo dribble against England, a touch as sumptuous as Johan Cruyff’s turn against Sweden, or a save as improbable as Gordon Banks’ against Pele; a penalty miss as agonising as Roberto Baggio’s against Brazil, a handball as blatant as Luis Suarez’s against Ghana, or a headbutt as shocking as Zinedine Zidane’s against Italy.
