I've just read that Argentina's Leandro Cufre, who did not play, was given a red card after the shootout....

Question

What is the point? the tournament is over for them so what good does the card do?

I realise why the card was issued, but I'm asking how does it serve as a punishment when they're already out?

Would be far better to ban argentina from ALL future world cups :)

Answer 1

The whole thing started because Cruz would flip the Germans off (he would kiss his outstretched middle finger) after every single Argentinian penalty kick that went in. Borroski (GER) did the same after his penalty kick and it pissed the players off even more when they lost. The unused substitute Leandro Cufre (ARG) got his tall blond German players mixed-up and ended up kicking Per Mertesacker (GER) in the crotch after his team lost, thereby starting the brawl on the field. Oliver Beerhoff was trying to shield his players after Mertesacker went down and ended up getting some of the Argentinian frustration focused on him.

http://www.bild.t-online.de/BTO/sport/wm2006/aktuell/07/01/pruegel-gauchos/pruegel-gauchos.html

The red and yellow cards carry a hefty fine ($$$) from FIFA that the country has to pay. It gives the countries more incentives to keep their player in check.

Answer 2

This is why he got the red card;

Ugly player fracas follows German penalty win

BERLIN, June 30 (Reuters) - Players and officials from both teams clashed on the pitch and an Argentine substitute was given a red card after Germany beat Argentina 4-2 on penalties to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup on Friday.

Although German coach Juergen Klinsmann and his Argentine counterpart Jose Pekerman played down the incident, FIFA are likely to take a very dim view of it especially as TV pictures were beamed to a huge global audience.

Argentina's Leandro Cufre, an unused substitute, got the red card after the penalty shootout, FIFA said in its official match report.

German team manager Oliver Bierhoff, caught in the middle of the melee which immediately followed the penalty shootout, said he had intervened after an Argentina substitute trod on German defender Per Mertesacker.

"Per was pretty angry about what was a very unsporting thing to do and the players started going at each other. I saw that and wanted to put myself between them so the players didn't do anything stupid," Bierhoff told reporters.

"I'm very sad in a way that a picture like that has gone out into the world," the former international striker said.

Klinsmann put it down to the heat of the moment.

"I'd like to remind people that in football there is so much tension, so many emotions and if it goes all the way to penalties someone can lose control.

"Football is just so emotional. It's just normal. It's no big deal, no problem at all."

Pekerman added: "At times emotions run away with themselves at a match and it's not what we feel.

"Germany and ourselves have great respect for each other and this was a thing in the heat of the moment."

FIFA officials and referee Lubos Michel were all caught up in the chaos and punches and kicks appeared to be thrown in scenes which went on for approximately 90 seconds in front of a 72,000 crowd.

The trouble appeared to start when midfielder Tim Borowski gestured towards the Argentina players to "keep quiet" having scored his penalty to make it 4-2 in Germany's favour.

Several of the South American players walked towards him and when Esteban Cambiasso's final Argentina spot-kick was saved by German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, the Argentina defender Fabricio Coloccini approached Germany's Oliver Neuville.

Borowski said Argentinian players had made "certain movements" to try to provoke him before he took his penalty.

"I don't want to go into details but the movements were there and the Argentinians can't exactly declare themselves innocent," he told reporters. "They're not exactly saints."

FIFA will examine video footage of the incident and both teams could be liable for heavy fines or other sanctions.

Answer 3

If his actions called for a red card, then he should get one.

Answer 4

Sport is about fair game and discipline, not always about winning.

Answer 5

wondering the same too

Answer 6

I was asking the question too....

Answer 7

principles i guess.

Answer 8

idk it was dumb
argentina is good so they should not be banned