Jamaican refs feel heat in US-Honduras game

Gordon Williams, Gleaner Writer

MIAMI, Florida:

A trio of Jamaican football referees braved steady, sometimes slashing rain here Saturday night, but the inclement weather paled in comparison to the torrent of abuse leveled at them, as they officiated an often hot-tempered international between the United States and Honduras.

Referee Courtney Campbell, assisted by countrymen Kedlee Powell and Keble Williams on the lines, endured a wet and turbulent evening that produced eight cautions - five for the US, three for the visitors from Central America - a total that could have been easily doubled and a few ejections sprinkled in.

The "friendly" was marked by tackles that ranged from cynical to brutal and accompanied by outward and repeated displays of dissent by players from both teams, some while carrying cautions. Some consistently cursed at the referee and his assistants at times, waving away the officiating crew with disdain and other signs of disrespect.

Four yellow cards were issued in the final 15 minutes of the first half alone as the Jamaican officiating trio tried to maintain control of the game. Even US officials admitted the game got a bit rough.

"The match featured some hard tackling on the slick surface," a post-game release from US Soccer Communications read in part, pointing to "sustained pressure throughout the first half".

When contacted yesterday while on his way home, Campbell declined to comment on the record, explaining that referees are not allowed to grant interviews. However, it was possibly the toughest of the experienced referee's 80-plus international assignments.

Glaring outburst

Among the most glaring outbursts occurred when Campbell disallowed a second goal scored by US star Clint Dempsey, whose brilliant first-half strike eventually decided the contest. Dempsey headed in a second-half cross, but was adjudged to have climbed on the back of his marker. While he was never cautioned, fellow US striker Jose Altidore was, penalised for kicking the ball away. He too was seen shouting and gesticulating in the direction of the referee.

Altidore was joined in the book by teammates Steve Cherundolo, captain Carlos Bocanegra, Maurice Edu and Brek Shea.

In one of the game's near-laughable moments, Honduras's Mavin Chavez was cautioned in the 78th minute for an ill-timed tackle, seconds after he entered the game as a substitute. Honduran teammates Boniek Garcia and Alfredo Mejia also received yellow cards from Campbell. Several more players from both teams could consider themselves fortunate not to have been booked.

Throughout the players argued vehemently with Campbell and his crew over fouls, off-side decisions and out-of-bound calls. Some were guilty of deliberately diving in an attempt to draw fouls - and cautions - on the opponent.

Meanwhile, the encounter failed to live up to what should have been a promising spectacle, with thousands of vociferous Honduran supporters among the 21,170 crowd that turned out in the rain-drenched Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens for the nationally televised game.

The Jamaican officiating crew, which was assisted by fourth official Jair Marrufo of the US, felt its share of heat, some of which came from the stands, but most as a result of the on-field antics of the players which soured the game.

At the end of the match players from both teams seemed to quickly bury the hatchet with the Jamaican officiating crew and opponents. Honduras returned home yesterday to prepare for their match against Jamaica tomorrow.