Australia’s Tim Cahill accuses Chile of cheating after 2-1 loss in World Cup
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The 2014 World Cup is only four games old, yet it has already seen its fair share of controversy. Following Australia’s 2-1 loss to Chile it wasn’t any different, and Socceroos legend Tim Cahill voiced his concerns.
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Cahill happened to be the lone goal scorer for Australia and a constant pest to the back line of Chile during a game that started out quickly for Chile and became a hard-fought win. The former Everton and current New York Red Bulls striker also had a second goal called back for offsides.
Following the loss, Cahill accused Chile’s Gonzalo Jara of cheating and earning the Australian a yellow card at the same time. According to the Guardian, Jara admitted to kicking out at Cahill and flopping when he reacted.
“The left-back kicked out at me when I was trying to run past him for a cross and I pushed him away – and I got the yellow card,” Cahill said. “I called him a cheat. And he said ‘yes, I’m a cheat, so what’. That is not gamesmanship … this needs to be out of the game.”
Diving and cheating have taken center stage over the first two days, and would’ve been the biggest topic if not for the Netherlands 5-1 win over Spain on Friday afternoon.
Fred appeared to have flopped in the box to earn a penalty in Brazil’s opening 3-1 win over Croatia and Brazilian-born Spanish international Diego Costa used a sliding Holland defender to also flop for a penalty early in the Spain-Netherlands game.
It has called in to question referee decisions, especially in light of Fred’s dive and subsequent changing of a 1-1 tie between the hosts and Croats.
Having a top talent like Cahill speak out could help bring attention to what has become a blight on an otherwise entertaining start to the World Cup, but if it is like any of the other outspoken stars who have complained, it will be ignored.