"We are very, very satisfied with the performance of the referees."

--Jose-Marcia Garcia-Aranda, head of refereeing, FIFA.

If I'm an AFL umpire sitting in my lounge room in Melbourne watching the World Cup, I'm absolutely thrilled with what I'm seeing.

No, not the terrific skills of Lionel Messi or the fighting spirit of the Socceroos, but the work of the referees: every ludicrous straight red card, every absurd disallowed goal, every Academy Award caliber dive bought hook, line and sinker.

Because for as much criticism as AFL umpires cop, they are far more consistent than the guys in charge of these World Cup matches.

That said, I don't blame the World Cup referees entirely. FIFA has given them extraordinary powers, yet forces them to make split-second decisions that they cannot reverse.

There is also - unbelievable to fans unfamiliar with world soccer - little or no need to explain a ruling.

And of course, in keeping with FIFA's anachronistic mindset, video review is nowhere to be seen.

The FIFA bigwigs are so excited about a new ball ("Hey, it twists and turns! It's called a Jabulani!"), but they still rely on the fading eyesight and decision-making abilities of 40 year old men.

Let's have a quick look at the ledger, shall we?

Tim Cahill.

Harry Kewell.

Velon Bahrani.

Kaka.

All have been sent off under somewhat controversial circumstances.

There was the USA's disallowed, unexplained goal against Slovenia.

Daniele de Rossi's over-the-top dramatics that earned Italy a penalty against the All Whites.

And of course, games where seven, eight, even nine cards have been handed out. Are we watching football or a baccarat table at Mandalay Bay?

All the while, Garcia-Aranda walks and talks the party line. "We are very, very satisfied with the performance of the referees." Not just satisfied. Not very satisfied. VERY, VERY satisfied.

Of course they are. Anything less might show a crack in the armour of the secret society called FIFA. It's an organisation about as transparent as concrete.

And by the way, I understand the "human fallibility argument." I don't think video review is the answer to everything.

But when a goal is disallowed, players, fans and media should be entitled to more than just seeing a referee wave "play on."

If a referee has been conned by a play-acting dive, he should be able to admit it afterward.

And if there's a controversy, why couldn't Garcia-Aranda address the media and explain the referee's decision?

There are already as many FIFA conspiracy theories as there are surrounding the death of JFK. A little honesty and openness would go a long way towards rebuilding some trust.