Abby Wambach gets away with warning over referee criticism
OTTAWA — Abby Wambach's remarks questioning the impartiality of a French referee would likely have caused her to be banned for Friday's Women's World Cup quarterfinal had she not subsequently apologized publicly, a person within FIFA with knowledge of the situation told Paste BN Sports.
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.
Wambach received an official warning but no formal punishment on Thursday night over comments she made three days earlier about official Stephanie Frappart.
The U.S. forward said it seemed Frappart had "purposefully" issued yellow cards to American midfielders Megan Rapinoe and Lauren Holiday in the team's round of 16 victory over Colombia, which caused both players to be suspended for Friday's clash with China.
FIFA issued an official statement on the matter, clarifying that Wambach will be free to start against China at Lansdowne Stadium on Friday night.
"The chairman of the FIFA disciplinary committee took into consideration all the circumstances of the case, including the fact Abby Wambach took full ownership and apologized for her comments in a timely manner," a FIFA spokesperson said.
Wambach was considered by FIFA officials to have infringed article 57 of the organization's disciplinary code. However, FIFA's disciplinary practices allow for mitigating circumstances, such as a swift and emphatic apology, to be taken into account when handing out penalties.
Article 57 dictates that "anyone who insults someone in any way, especially by using offensive gestures or language, or who violates the principles of fair play or whose behavior is unsporting in any other way may be subject to sanctions."
After Wambach's comments about Frappart were first reported by Paste BN Sports and Reuters, the forward made an unscheduled appearance on Fox soon after the team landed in Ottawa after leaving Edmonton on Tuesday.
"I'm not in the referee's head, and that's something I definitely take ownership of and apologize for, because I don't know what the referee is thinking," Wambach said. "In no way did I intend to offend her – and my biggest apologies if it was offensive in any way."
Wambach has not spoken to the media since.
However, her availability for the match is a significant boost to head coach Jill Ellis. Wambach, chasing the first World Cup title of her career, has started in all three of the USA's victories so far.
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