June 7 :    June 7:  With Fifa deciding to accord fair play top priority, checking fake injuries was bound to be the referees' biggest challenge at this World Cup. The sport's governing body explained to the referees what it expected from them. At the preparatory seminar for the 72 officials in Seoul three months ago, several incidents of play-acting and diving were shown on video with the help of other teaching aids. The officials, therefore, can't complain they weren't prepared. Yet, the first incident of 'acting' happened as early as on Day 4. The guilty party was none other than Brazilian superstar Rivaldo. As he waited near the corner flag, he was hit on the left knee by a ball kicked by Turkey's Hakan Unsal. Rivaldo immediately fell to the ground, theatrically clutching his face. The Turkish player was at least 10 yards away from the corner flag and couldn't have kicked the ball at Rivaldo deliberately. Strangely, Korean referee Kim Young-joo showed Unsal the yellow card followed by the resultant red (the Turk was already on a yellow). Kim didn't care to consult his assistant even though it was a dead-ball situation. Rivaldo should've got a yellow for cheating and gross unsportsmanlike behaviour, not Unsal. In the same match, Alpay Ozalan started pulling the jersey of Brazilian attacker Luizao about 10 yards outside the Turkey penalty box. The referee, however, did not whistle for an infringement, probably invoking the advantage clause. He stopped the game when Luizao fell - just inside the Turkey penalty box. According to the laws of soccer, the referee can defer punishment if he plays the advantage rule. But once he stops the game, punishment should be given for the initial infringement and not at the point where the whistle was blown. The referee ruled otherwise and ordered a penalty - instead of a free-kick. Earlier, Kim booked Ozalan for a foul on Ronaldo after the Brazilian demanded a card. Maybe, the referee was overawed by the Brazilians. His decisions cost Turkey dear. In the Spain-Slovenia tie, Moroccan Mohammed Guezzaz awarded a penalty to Spain when Slovenia medio Sasa Gajser made a fair tackle on Morientes. Slovak Michel Lubos awarded a penalty against Paraguayan goalkeeper Ricardo Tavarelli for just 'feeling' the feet of onrushing South African midfielder Zuma. The referee's mistake cost Paraguay full points. In the Cameroon-Ireland duel, Rigobert Song used his right forearm to divert a goal-moving ball off an accurate Robbie Keane header to the safe hands of his goalkeeper. Japanese referee Toru Komikawa overlooked the incident and denied Ireland victory. Similarly, Japan were deprived of victory against Belgium when Costa Rican referee William Mattus cancelled a fair goal by Junichi Inamoto. Of course, the first week saw was some good refereeing too. UAE's Ali Bujsaim was brilliant in the opener in which Senegal stunned France 1-0. He was always close to the ball and read the game exceptionally well. The others who stood out during the first seven days' action were Saad Komal of Kuwait (Denmark-Uruguay match), Frenchman Gilles Veissire (Argentina-Nigeria), Brazil's Carlos Simon (England-Sweden), American Brian Hall ((Italy-Ecuador), and Denmark's Kim Nielson (Germany-Ireland). Indian assistant referee K. Sankaran was smart and prompt on the lines in his only match so far (Mexico versus Croatia). It's sad that very few quality referees come from countries outside Europe and South America. Ali Bujsaim and one or two others are the only exceptions.