The final intramural soccer game for the “B” category was played last Sunday at the soccer fields east of Maple-Willow-Larch. The game started with very “nice” weather —ÿstormy, snowing and freezing. And the fact that it was a Sunday must also have influenced the referees’ decisions, such as ending a 40-minute game 10 minutes early.

You would never see such a thing in a professional game, but that is OK because this is just a simple intramural final; the referees need not use official soccer rules. In a professional game you also would not see a referee changing his decision — from “handball” to “penalty” — due to the protest of some players at the game.

Well, sure these referees are not professional and may make some mistakes, and it is also understandable that in an intramural game there will be less organization than in professional or intercollegiate ones. But if it is going to be a non-fair- play game, the meaning and reason for intramural games change significantly.

I do not know if the unacceptable decisions of the referees have something to do with their blindness and unwillingness or if it has something to do with refereeing an American team versus an international team. I really hope it is not the second reason. Whatever the reason might be, it was funny to watch (and also to play in) such a misdirected game.

After hearing the end-whistle for a score of 0-2, our team members asked why they called the game early. We did not receive any answers — just staring eyes, like a cow’s. We never had such problems before. Our team members have already made an official complaint and will request a fair replay.

I do not know if these attempts will bring any solutions, but as a member of the Istanbul soccer team I am not satisfied with the importance given to a final game, even if it is only intramural.

Kaya Tolon

Freshman

Pre-industrial engineering

Goalkeeper of Team Istanbul