FIFA deliberately arranged for Korea to reach the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup?

(Baonghean.vn)- World football is "stirring up" with negative suspicions of FIFA and it is likely that in the near future, things will become more complicated when some countries are ready to drop "blockbusters" to expose FIFA's shady actions.

Mr. Moreno and the infamous Italy - Korea match at the 2002 World Cup (Internet photo).

After the US, the media of the land of pasta continued to heat things up, when they brought up the negative "allegation" of 2002, with the accusation: FIFA deliberately arranged for the host country Korea to enter the semi-finals of the World Cup.

In 2002, the World Cup was held for the first time in Asia and it was also the first time that two countries were co-hosts. For Japan, they had participated in previous World Cups and for Korea, the 2002 World Cup was their first time participating.

According to the accusations of the Italian media, FIFA "shaken hands" with Korea to arrange for this country to go deep into the World Cup that year.

The Italians' accusations were directed at the knockout round match between the host team South Korea and Italy. Many prominent newspapers in the boot-shaped country said that the referee had made one-sided decisions, with all decisions favoring the home team.

It was a penalty kick at the start of the match that the Italian defender did not commit any foul. Fortunately, goalkeeper Buffon made an excellent save. However, the events that followed did not change when the Ecuadorian referee Moreno's whistle was always considered to be rudely biased towards the home team.

Mr. Moreno did not recognize the Italian goal even though their striker was not offside. What caused more indignation was the second yellow card he gave to send Totti off the field. That was the situation when the Italian midfielder was knocked down in the penalty area but Mr. Moreno said that Totti pretended to fall and showed the yellow card.

At that time, public opinion generally did not agree, because it was a real collision and the yellow card for Totti was not only unjust but also put Italy in a difficult position when playing with one less player at a time when their physical strength was already worn out.

Playing with frustration from being constantly pressured, the Italian players were no longer themselves and what had to happen happened when in the 117th minute, Korea scored to increase the score to 2-1, painfully eliminating Italy from the game.

After Italy, Spain was the next victim to make accusations to FIFA when the quarter-final match of that World Cup, the bullfighting team was even more unfairly treated. There were at least two legal goals but the referee still did not recognize Spain's goal.

Playing better and more convincingly, but like Italy, Spain also had to painfully leave the game after being defeated by Korea in the 11m penalty shootout.

After officiating the infamous match between Italy and South Korea at the 2002 World Cup, referee Moreno was later suspended for 26 matches due to his involvement in a scandal in the Ecuadorian national league.

Moreno was recently arrested by the police and sentenced to 26 months in prison for drug trafficking. Moreno’s subsequent scandals have led to further speculation that there was a lack of transparency in the match he officiated between South Korea and Italy at the 2002 World Cup.

Italian media believe that FIFA favors Korea so much because it wants to promote football and the image of this country to the world. Of course, behind FIFA's excessive enthusiasm, many officials of this organization also reap a lot of benefits from the commissions that Korean football "compensates".

There is no basis to confirm that there was any negativity in the 2002 World Cup, but with the Italian media making accusations and at a time when FIFA is being strongly condemned for negative scandals related to corruption and money, many people believe that there will be "bombs" about to explode and FIFA must be held responsible for negative arrangements like the 2002 World Cup as well as many other incidents.

Vinh Liem