Blatant Handballs Need To Be Awarded As Goals, Not As Penalty Kicks

In a controversy filled World Cup, the biggest controversial play was called correctly by the referee, which is surprising considering the amount of gaffes the officials have made so far.

In the 120th and final minute of extra time, Ghana's Dominic Adiyiah headed a rebound into an open net.

Or what should have been an open net.

Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez swatted away the ball with both of his hands, saving the goal.

Suarez was given a red card and ejected from the rest of the match and the next match if Uruguay would advance.

However, Ghana's Asamoah Gyan would need to miss the upcoming penalty kick and then Uruguay would need to beat Ghana on penalties to advance.

Which is exactly what happened.

Gyan, who had converted on two PK's already during the World Cup, had beaten Uruguayan goalie Fernando Muslera, however the shot went off the crossbar and ricocheted into the stands.

The final whistle was blown and Uruguay went on to defeat Ghana 4-2 on PK's.

All because of Suarez's illegal play.

Back in Uruguay, Suarez might be, and probably will be, regarded as a national hero, even if Uruguay doesn't beat the Netherlands on Tuesday. However, he should be condoned for making the most obvious cheating attempt in recent soccer history. Even more obvious than Thierry Henry's handball against Ireland in the qualifying round.

And much worse.

This play might be regarded as the Hand of God 2, in regards to Diego Maradona's punch into the net against England in the 1986 quarterfinal. Both plays helped a South American team advance, when it reality they shouldn't have.

So why should Uruguay be rewarded for this clear instance of rule breaking?

Adiyiah's header was clearly going to be a goal, and Suarez cheated and saved it with his hands, the ultimate no-no in soccer.

Yet Ghana, not Uruguay, is going home.

With the multitude of controversy that has surrounded this World Cup, it's obvious that there needs to be changes made to the beautiful game.

Obviously, instant replay is one that many fans have been wanting to see, but change number one should be to make blatant handballs, like the one Suarez made, count as own goals, instead of penalty kicks. 

In basketball, when a player blocks a shot that clearly will go in, the points are rewarded.  And in basketball, scoring is much, much more frequent and comebacks are easier to come by.

So why can't a goal, that could be a game changer, or just a footnote in a blowout, be awarded as well?

Cheating such as this should be condoned, not celebrated.  History should have been made in a good way for the continent of Africa, not in a black eye that will haunt the rest of the World Cup.

All of Africa is crying foul over a correctly made call, but, in my book, it's still a wrong one.