Are Ovrebo and Nebben WC worthy?

I would have liked to restart this blog talking about the Olympics that are on in Vancouver, about the wonderful bronze medal that youngster Pittin won (not as unexpectedly as almost all people think here in Italy) in the Nordic Combined or about Zoeggler's fifth medal in as many OG, or about Maddy Neuner first Olympic gold, but taoday football takes the spotlight.

For everyone who has watched the Bayern Munchen - Fiorentina game earlier tonight the referee and the linesman (mr. Nebben) have been - to summarize their behavior on the pitch in one word - awful. There is probably only one person in the stands that will not recognize this and he's Michel Platini.

The UEFA boss will say that everyone can make mistakes and that Ovrebo still deserves to be trusted despite all his current and past errors (ask any Chelsea fans on the subject and they'll find plenty of expletives on this matter. What I'm curious to read tomorrow on the papers is his reactions and eventual comments on the two big mistakes that sent the match down his eventual path, because both have come from decisions taken (and not taken) by one of the linesmen, Mr. Dag Roger Nebben, a 29-y-o who earlier today seemed overwhelmed by his role in the game and decided that while Bayern is a top team Fiorentina is not.

During the 73rd minute Robben threw himself against Gobbi near the sideline on the right and then went down with his hand over his throat. Was it a foul? No, Robben threw himself against the opposing player. So why did mr. Nebben tell the ref to show the red card to Gobbi for elbowing? But this was the lesser evil of the two.

89th minute: there is a shot from outside the area that Frey can only push away, a Bayern player heads it back towards the box where Klose is alone. Why is Klose alone there 7 meters from the goal? Easy; he was 3 meters, THREE METERS(!) offside when the ball was played towards him.

So what did Mr. Nebben do?

You got it! Nothing at all, his flag stayed down and the goal stood for the final 2-1 scoreline for Bayern in the first leg of the round of 16.

To add on this: Ovrebo, in the 78th minute only booked Klose for a terrible late tackle on Felipe that anywhere in the world, even in Scotland or England not only on the continent, would have been a clear red card (and at least a couples of games off). If you've watched the game you could clearly see that Klose immediately turned towards Ovrebo with a face that said: "ok, I did it...just send me off 'cause is deserved". But inexplicably he only saw a yellow card come out - much to his relief as seen on the images on tv.

So, after knowing that Martin Hansson will be one of the referees chosen for the coming World Cup in South Africa despite his unbelievable error to favor another top team in the paly-off last autumn, will football fans have to witness not only Mr. Ovrebo but also and in particularMr. Nebben being present on the pitch down south instead of refereeing and honing their skills during the summer in their own country's league?

I definitvely hope not.

But I fear that most football fans know all too well how the politics of Uefa work.