World Cup 2022: Refereeing Steals the Show with Tough but Fair Approach

While the 2022 World Cup in Qatar has had its share of controversies, one unexpected bright spot has been the officiating. Referees across the group stage and knockout rounds have prioritised keeping the game flowing, refusing to be fooled by simulation or bullied by players. Stars like Kylian Mbappé have been shrugged off after going down easily, with officials waving play on or even penalising the diver. Even VAR has been used efficiently, with reviews rarely dragging on for minutes. It's a re...