Sure, VAR exists in soccer and maybe makes some of the officiating feel robotic.
The referees on the field, however, are definitely still human.
Just ask Felix Zwayer.
The referee went down in the waning minutes of the U.S. men’s national team’s 2-0 group stage win in the World Cup over Australia with what appeared to be cramps.
The German referee dropped to the grass at Lumen Field in the middle of stoppage time and got his left leg stretched before one of the officials, Katia Garcia, came over to Swayer’s aid and gave him some sort of bottle to drink from.
Both the USMNT’s Folarin Balogun and Australia’s Aiden O’Neill even stepped in to try to help the referee right himself to continue on in stoppage time.
Former FIFA referee and Fox rules analyst Mark Clattenburg tried to break down the unusual scene in Seattle.
“He needs to get salt in his body,” he said. “It’s a hot day, referees are acclimatizing to the conditions, and this is a prime example. … It’s a bit embarrassing, but I’m sure he’ll move on.”
Zwayer eventually did get back on his feet to finish the match, with the U.S. holding on for the clean sheet.
It was an active day for the officials, calling 28 fouls and seven yellow cards (three on the Americans and four on the Australians).
Every game in this World Cup includes a hydration break at the midway point of each half.
Maybe Zwayer will have more to imbibe in each of those stoppages next time around.