Does FIFA Like Bad PR?

As a sports fan and a public relation professional, I understand that sports governing bodies cannot always make the popular decision favored by the public because they are the ones who are responsible for maintaining the integrity of the sport and the game. And not just for today and tomorrow but for years to come.

That's why I was OK with MLB Commissioner Bud Selig not overturning Armando Galarraga "perfect game" that umpire Jim Joyce admitted that he made a mistake on the play which should have been the last out of the game.

But over the last two weeks, sports fans have been dealt a huge injustice over the way soccer's international governing body FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) has handled the poor on-field officiating by its referees.

American soccer fans were introduced to how bad soccer officials can be on the sports biggest stage on multiple occasions. And if the officiating mistakes stopped there during the 2010 World Cup, the argument against FIFA would end with the Americans just have bad luck.

But poor officiating through the majority of matches has ruined the World Cup this year and FIFA has done nothing but make matters worse.