Can football stamp out the cynical cheating?
Cheating was rewarded in spectacular fashion during Uruguay’s World Cup quarterfinal victory over Ghana, and football should consider changing its rules to stop it happening again.
Down the years, we have seen plenty of players handle the ball to stop it going over the line, but the difference with Luis Suarez’s transgression was its timing.
It was in the dying seconds of extra-time and there was no time for the subsequent red card to affect Uruguay’s chances. If Suarez hadn’t used his hands to block Dominic Adiyiah’s header, Ghana would have become the first African country ever to reach a World Cup semifinal.
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Ghana aside, Africa miss chance in 2010
Ever since Pele boldly predicted that an African side would win the World Cup before the end of the 20th century, the race was underway for a side from the continent to deliver.
African sides clearly missed the deadline the Brazilian legend set, but with the World Cup being held on the African continent for the first time in 2010 there was renewed hope the dream could be realized.
Not only had a record six teams from the continent qualified - after hosts South Africa had their place safeguarded - African talent had arguably never been richer or to be found in more depth.
But with Asamoah Gyan's extra-time penalty miss in Ghana's quarterfinal game against Uruguay, the chance to seal an historic berth in the final four for an African side went begging; a continent's hopes were dashed.
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