Well, it could be argued that the African teams are getting well 'looked after' by the officials, as it wouldn't do to have no host continent nations get to the second round...

Or maybe we (feel that we) get the raw end of the deal because of our perceived physicality which bring the ref's down hard on us...

Or maybe its just incompetence...

I personally think refs generally tend to bias (unconciously of course), toward the 'class' team ie. the big names - did you see Fabiano's 2nd goal against Ivory Coast? he handballed the frigging thing twice and not only didn't get a yellow, the ref had a nice laugh with him about it as they jogged back for the restart!

Or maybe the class teams are just more professional than us when they flex the rules.... I'm looking at you Italy. That pen against NZ could not have been any softer. Ok, there was a handful or shirt, but it only happens like that on every single cross, ever. The Azzuri just know how to make it seen by the ref.