Ref Simon warns Totti
Brazilian referee Carlos Simon, who’ll officiate Italy’s opener against Ghana, has warned Francesco Totti not to simulate fouls.
“I have already taken charge of a World Cup game featuring Italy. In Japan and Korea, when they played Mexico in the group phase,” he explained.
That tie ended 1-1 and Totti was booked for diving – an incident Simon remembers very clearly.
“I was forced to show him the yellow card, as these are the FIFA regulations. He simulated a foul in midfield and I had no other choice.”
Simon has been chosen to officiate the Azzurri’s 2006 debut against Ghana on Monday and was interviewed on Italian radio station Radio Spazio Aperto.
“I am not accustomed to handing out yellow cards gratuitously. I prefer to open up a dialogue with the players and perhaps give them a less severe warning.”
There are question marks over the temperament of Marcello Lippi’s men, in particular Totti, who was sent off in that 2002 tournament and banned for spitting at Dane Christian Poulsen in Euro 2004.
“Football is a dynamic contact sport, but if warnings don’t work, then I turn to the cards. I see no difference between the Italian and Brazilian players, so I doubt the Azzurri will be tougher to deal with. We have all been ordered to be severe and punish the worst fouls with a red card.”
Franz Beckenbauer infuriated the Italian group by suggesting the Calciopoli scandal would distract the players and rule them out of the group of favourites. “I really don’t want to comment on that statement,” noted the referee.
Simon then explained his refereeing technique and what qualifies him to be in this World Cup in Germany,
“I am physically very fit so that I can always be close to the action. I try to apply the rules of the game with a relaxed and intelligent approach. I have a lot of experience in various international competitions, such as the Intercontinental Cup Final between Real Madrid and Olimpia Asuncion, while I’ve also officiated five Brazilian Championship Finals.”
channel4.com