Meeting between officials and media set for Monday.
United States fans desperate to hear what happens to controversial referee Koman Coulibaly may get some catharsis Monday.Thirty World Cup officials and members of the FIFA Referee Committee will meet with the media on Monday to discuss officiating in the tournament.
The hottest ticket item is sure to be Koman Coulibaly. In his first World Cup match, the Malian denied the United States an 85th minute goal which would have completed a tremendous comeback over Slovenia. Coulibaly whistled and called back the third U.S. goal and awarded Slovenia a free kick, though replays prove inconclusive as to what the foul was.
FIFA generally backs its referees in the face of controversy. Any implication of guilt will likely remain tacit, with reports emerging that Coulibaly could be cut from the referee lineup. In 2006 FIFA sent home 11 of the 23 referees following the group stages after grading their performances.
Even Englishman Graham Poll, who awarded Croatia's Josip Simunic before sending him off in the 2006 World Cup, avoided a public condemnation.
Besides Coulibaly, South Africa's Jerome Damon, who allowed New Zealand's offside goal to stand, and Alberto Undiano Mallenco, who sent of Germany's Miroslav Klose, may also come up in Monday's scheduled meeting.
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