Why is it that we always complain about the referee losing control? Wasn't this more a case of the players losing control? The responsibility for this game lies squarely with the players and the coaches. Even knowing the threshold for cards in this tournament, they chose to let it degrade into a fiasco. Each of the cards issued was deserved. In fact, that game could have easily ended at 7 v 7.
Many players' actions were disgraceful. You can't single out Figo, Deco, Boulahrouz or van Bronckhorst.
As far as van Nistelrooy sitting out, it shows that van Basten has courage as a manager. Ruud had been under-performing in the last few days. Maybe more coaches should bench "stars" who don't have the work rate or results that are expected of them. I can think of a few examples.
