Green referee gets opening game

FIFA have announced that the referee for the opening game of the World Cup - Mexico v South Africa - will be 32-year-old Uzbeki Ravshan Irmatov, the youngest referee in the World Cup. Irmatov will be making his World Cup debut June 11.

The Mexican press was already rife with suggestions that home support could influence the officials.

The biggest game Irmatov has refereed in was the 2008 World Club Championship final between Manchester United and Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito de Ecuador.

FIFA, in their wisdom, decided against chosing a referee with a few years Champions League experience for what will be the game that will set the tone for the World Cup.

Would a little common sense in these matters be too much to ask?

The Mexican team have been dignified in their response, Jonny Magallon saying the team are concentrating on other things.

Nevertheless, a few facts must be of concern. Out of the 54 international games (mainly in Asia) that Irmatov has taken charge of, he's awarded the home team six penalties and the away team three. Irmatov has pulled the red card out of his pocket five times for players from the home side and ten times for the away team. That's a
2:1 ratio on both accounts.