Thomas Steiner questions World Cup referee selections amid criticism

Thomas Steiner, the ORF's refereeing expert, has voiced strong criticism regarding the selection of officials for the upcoming World Cup, questioning the competence of some individuals chosen to officiate at the highest level of international football. Steiner, a former Bundesliga referee and now a referee observer, expressed his doubts about how "such people" end up at the World Cup.

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How do such people get to the World Cup?

His comments come amid ongoing debates surrounding refereeing decisions in recent matches. Steiner specifically referenced the match between France and Paraguay, where the Uzbek referee Ilgis Tantaschew faced accusations of overlooking fouls. He also touched upon the frustration expressed by the Egyptian team following their elimination by Argentina, suggesting that controversial calls may have played a role.

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He looked away too often.

Steiner, who analyzes games alone in a studio to maintain focus, also noted a specific foul incident involving Austrian player Xaver Schlager. The expert's role for ORF involves providing commentary and analysis on the rules of the game, offering insights into the often-complex decisions made on the pitch during major tournaments.

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If I were sitting with Herbert Prohaska and all the other jokers, I would be far too distracted.