World Cup Penalty Shots Are Unfair

Though thrilling, the penalty shots that might soon decide single-elimination World Cup soccer games are decidedly unfair. More Intelligent Life Magazine considers an alternative method. “The penalty decider seems to impose too great an obligation on the individual…There is, however, a method that would not only observe the spirit of the game but enhance it. That is to abolish extra time, count the fouls committed by the two sides, factor in red and yellow cards, and hand victory to the lesser offender. For the best part of 30 years I have been unable to see the arguments against this. The most persistent is that players would dive to incriminate the opposition, but a dive is itself an offence…”