The match between Brazil and Germany is already popular due to a couple of key players from Brazil being not able to play and now it has become more interesting as the referee who was not able to see the Luis Suarez biting incident will be presiding over the match.
Yes, that is right, Mexican official Marco Rodriguez has officially been announced as one of the referee for the said match.
When Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari was asked to comment about the referee choice made by the FIFA Committee, he wisely refused to talk ill of Rodriguez and instead defended the referee saying that the incident happened away from the main game.
The Brazilian coach candidly answered "What do I think? If he didn't see it, he didn't see it. Many things happen that the referee doesn't see. Fouls, something that happens in the game." He added "That was one thing he missed. Sometimes they watch the ball and something else happens out of their line of vision. That is why they have the assistants. I believe, on what we know, that he is experienced, so he is a good choice by FIFA for this match."
After the 2006 FIFA Games, Rodriguez was called by English referee Graham Poll as a "complete poser who showed a lot of naivety in his decision-making."
This is the third time that Rodriguez has appeared in the World Cup but this is the first time that he has been chosen to officiate in the knockout stage. FIFA's decision to choose hard-line referee for the match between Germany and Brazil will be of great advantage to the former as Brazil is used to playing a highly physical and aggressive game.
German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger said "Hard challenges are definitely part of the game. It is something we have to be careful of ... and the referee too."
Rodriguez is known for giving red cards in his World Cup appearances. It can be noted that he dismissed five players in six games. Rodriguez will be one of the highlights of the match between Brazil and Germany. Fans will not only be watching the game for the both team but will also be looking forward on how Rodriguez will be officiating the game.
