WORLDCUP SOUTH AFRICA 2010

South Africa coach faces suspension

PRETORIA, South Africa – South Africa’s national team has already lost its pride and any realistic chance of staying in the World Cup. Now it may also lose its coach for what is almost certainly its final game of the tournament.

Controversial head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira faces sanctions from governing body FIFA following a vitriolic attack on referee Massimo Busacca after South Africa slumped to a 3-0 defeat to Uruguay.

“He is the worst referee in the tournament,” said a furious Parreira. “It is not right the way he was against our team. It is not proper the way he changed the game by giving fouls that were not fouls, yellow cards that were not yellow cards. Then at the end he left the ground and he was smiling.

“I hope he doesn’t behave this way in any more games. And I hope I don’t have to see his face any more. He does not deserve to be here.”

FIFA takes public criticism of officials seriously, especially when there appears to be accusations of a lack of impartiality. According to a FIFA source, World Cup officials will “take a look” at a recording of Parreira’s postmatch comments Thursday and decide whether to administer a punishment.

If he is found to have contravened regulations then the most likely punishment would be a touchline ban for South Africa’s final Group A match against France next week, meaning he would be forbidden from taking his usual place in the dugout.

Despite his comments, Parreira must have known deep down that it was the dismal performance of his own team, and not Busacca, that was the primary cause of Wednesday’s miserable result.

After Diego Forlan’s deflected strike gave Uruguay the first score midway through the first half, the host nation seemed to lose hope. Forlan added a second when South Africa goalkeeper Itumelung Khune conceded a penalty and was red-carded after the break. Alvaro Perreira capped off a resounding victory with a goal in the final seconds.

South Africa now must win its final match against 2006 finalist France and must hope for other results to go its way to stand any chance of reaching the final 16.

With the tournament only six days old, the host’s on-field problems are certain to see interest in the event dwindle further, with attendances already far below predicted levels.

::GALLERY::