Australia robbed by a dodgy penalty and a cheating Italian?

can't ever remember a world cup,where a team won a game or final, without a **** decision from a ref, or a player cheating.the roos were robbed.

I disagree with you that Australia was robbed - the call was good but left the Aussie's with no time to do anything to come back. I also disagree that the Refs are siding with the bigger teams. I think we've just got some refs who are just making some bad calls but the calls today were nothing compared to those made yesterday in the Portugal vs. Netherlands match. Clearly you are a Aussie fan and are disapponted by the loss and I don't blame you. They played a great game. Even though I thought Italy would win I have to admit I would have loved to see the Aussie's win.

No i don't think anyone is siding with the bigger teams.

There is alot of complaining going on by people i think who are uneducated in the world of football. Upon first glance it appeared that Lucas Neil grabbed the Italians leg as he went over him. But when the foul was played over and over again and at different angles you can see it wasn't a foul. People who have jumped on the band wagon cause Australia have made it into the world cup and have also done so well.

It wasn't a penalty but in saying that the Australians would of acting in the same way the Italians did if they were in the Italians 18 yard box.

The referee as a second to make a decision and at one angle of view at the incident. He also only see's it once at real time, and in his defence, I'm sure he would of been thinking the Australian fouled him to keep him from scoring, so the match could go into extra time. Because, if Italy had scored it was all over for Australia anyway.

People have to understand that, this is how the game is played and every team abuses it, by diving and etc. The only way to stop it is by introducing video refereeing. If that is not possible than just learn to live with it, because it is as much a part of the game as the ball.

I would like to thank the Socceroos for representing our country so well and putting us on the map in relation to football. Looking forward to World Cup in 2010, go the Socceroos

Sorry mate but what about the RIDICULOUS decision to dismiss an Italian for a yellow card (at worst) tackle.....???? The ref thus gave the underdogs a full hour to score against 10 men.... so it's LUDICROUS to accuse him of bias...... the fact that we could still be playing 3 hours later as i write this and the Aussies would still not have managed to break down the Italian defence simply underlines the difference in class....

they were robbed what a nightmare, no way should that have been a penalty. I was really hoping that australia would get through. Refs have been awful in this tournament, and yes i think they might be siding with bigger teams he wants his cards for that decision.

Wll of course thereis more allegiance to the bigger teams, and a bad call against the US or Aussies is likely to go unquestioned but if the same call went against a big nation a ref may be found dead in his hotel room...

Yes. very bad call on the ref. Ref. or sidding with the big teams theri have been many controvercial calls. One of the worst reffered games where U.S.A.'s games both the U.S.A. vs Italy & U.S.A vs Ghana. U.S.A was robbed of their wins by the ref.

the referee should have just thrown the ball in the net himself. It is a poor reflection upon the game. But i dont know if they are favouring bigger teams. Italy did get the red card.

The refs are siding i think.. An error can occur ok, but this really gets too much. Im getting sick of watching this comedy capers show

no refs are no siding with the bigger teams...they have a purpose: The Cup should be won by an european team WITH ANY COSTS!