By Nirmal P. Acharya
As fans across the world revel in World Cup football fever, the world’s most popular sport and for some the only reason to turn on their televisions to marvel at Messi’s brilliance, revel in Ronaldo’s dominance, or perhaps less likely witness a remarkable victory of their favourite team.
A night in Kathmandu is no different, the FIFA World Cup being held in Qatar is in the air. Friends and family get together for community watch parties, crowded local bars and countless storylines, akin to a World Cup fan fest. Football stars shine and attract the attention of all mankind, however, this year my focus has been more at the referee.
The world’s attention has turned to football with most of the teams being of similar quality and the wins and losses depend on improvisation and luck, especially on the decisions of the referees. For example, for close fights in the penalty area, how the referee decides can be a matter of life and death for the team.
The referee is the final decision-making authority on all facts connected with the play, however, sometimes, referees are caught themselves in controversies by allowing a foul goal, disallowing a valid goal, or booking a certain player. If the referee is not fair, the great sport of football will be ruined. But referees are human beings, with likes, dislikes and selfish desires, and moral hazard is always present.
For all the scandals and sleazes in the world of football, referees have been largely impartial at major events like the World Cup. It depends on the fact that the referees are being watched by billions of people, under the watchful eye of live cameras. Otherwise, the impartiality of the judges will not be guaranteed.
Likewise, the MCC project is of vital development and security interest to Nepal, yet it is not regulated or supervised by the Nepalese government and laws. The US is the executor, supervisor and reviewer of the project. Such a controversial project is bound to spiral out of control and become a national hazard for Nepal.
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