The idea that there can be no recourse for when a player successfully fools a referee is just unforgivable...

With a review system in place, Kaka should be freed up to play the next game and the Ivorian player suspended for his dispicable act!

Brazil 3-1 Côte d’Ivoire

Referee: Stephane Lannoy (France)
Yellow cards: 4 – Kaka (Brazil) Tiene, Tiote, Keita (Côte d’Ivoire)
Red cards: 1 – Kaka (Brazil, second booking)

Eight years ago, Ronaldinho received a red card in his countries quarter-final win over England. That was the last time the Seleção received a sending off at the World Cup until tonight.

The ironic aspect to Kaka’s marching orders was that Côte d’Ivoire should have probably been reduced to nine men by the time the Brazillian playmaker was sent from the field. Kader Keita got only a yellow for a terrible tackle on Felipe Melo, catching his shin with the bottom of his boot.

But at least Keita was carded – when Cheik Tiote lunged in studs and all on goalscorer Elano, injuring the Galatasaray midfielder, he didn’t even get a caution. He later received a yellow for a sloppy challenge on Luis Fabiano but it was too little too late.

Admittedly Kaka’s first booking was probably deserved when he jostled unfairly with Yaya Toure, somewhat needlessly. But his second was a joke. As Keita and Kaka waited off-the-ball during play, they slightly collided and Kaka’s arm moved against Keita’s chest (below). Keita collapsed on the floor holding his face.

Lannoy, who replays show was not watching this, then stopped play as we saw our first on-pitch brawl of the finals. In fairness, Lannoy could do little to stop the brawl himself and it is impossible for referee to have his eyes everywhere but some of those involved in the scuffle probably deserved bookings.

However, despite not viewing the incident and perhaps based on the strong reaction from the Elephants, gave Kaka his second yellow. Detractors may say that he’ll miss a dead rubber for Canarinho as they’re already through. But their game with Portugal will decide the group winner and the official has referee within the game, not in the light of the next one.

I mentioned in my preview that maybe Lannoy was there as the token French official brought along by FIFA. After tonight, it certainly doesn’t look like he was selected for his officiating skills.

Refs rating: 2/10

But then Brazil are everyone's darlings so nothing will happen.

i must say that brazil were diving around for the last 10 minutes and everytime they fell, they looked like they lost an arm or something.

oh and double handball for fabiano and he still told the ref he didnt do it...

It didn't help that so many Ivorians were going in studs up into tackles. It was quite clear they were just trying to foul their way through the match as damage limitation.

As for Fabiano's handball. Yes it was a handball but you can't blame the ref for not seeing it and I;m not going to blame Fabiano for not telling the ref he handballs it, he's a professional FFS as if he's going to deny himself a brilliant goal like that in a World Cup of all places.

Twice! Fuck me get real mate.