LASIK the Refs Program Offered to FIFA Refs Following Poor Performance at 2010 World Cup

This year's World Cup has showcased some of the world's best Soccer players and teams.  Unfortunately, it has also been marred by some of the worst officiating in years. 

Fans have been dismayed in seeing USA's Maurice Edu's goal dissallowed by a phanthom penalty, numerous questionable red cards, Brazil's Luis Fabiano's "hand ball" goal, offside goals by New Zealand's Shane Smeltz and Argentina's Carlos Tevez, and Frank Lambard of England's "missed goal."  All these bad calls, and we are only into the round of 16!

Much has been reported about the officiating inadequacies including:

1. The 10 worst calls of this year's World Cup
2. Referees requiring security following bad calls
3. FIFA ignoring bad calls
4. The need to add security to FIFA officiating

As the controversies mount, I have decided to extend EyeCare 20/20's LASIK the Refs Program to all FIFA refs participating in this year's World Cup.  After the tournament is concluded, any of thes refs can hop on a plane, fly to New Jersey, and get your free LASIK surgery.  In this way, maybe we can do our small part in making sure that the game is decided on the pitch, and not by the zebras!

Here is a copy of our most recent press release on the subject:

 

For Immediate Release: June 21, 2010

Media Contact: Keri Muli – 973-560-1500, ext. 111; [email protected]

LOCAL SURGEON OFFERS FREE LASIK TO WORLD CUP SOCCER REFEREES

EAST HANOVER, NJ - As a result of the blown call by a World Cup soccer official in the United States’ last match versus Slovenia, local ophthalmologist Dr. Cary Silverman is offering free LASIK surgery to any World Cup or professional soccer referee.  As Medical Director of EyeCare 20/20, Cary M. Silverman, M.D., oversees one of the premier vision care facilities in the tri-state area, and the first practice in New Jersey to offer treatment using custom wavefront LASIK with the ALLEGRETTO WAVE® laser.

On Friday, June 18, referee Koman Coulibaly of Mali called a much-debated, late penalty against the United States that nullified a potential match-winning goal in Johannesburg.  The Americans, who ended up in a 2-2 tie with Slovenia, now need a victory Wednesday against Algeria to move out of Group C and into the Round of 16.

 “This is maddening,” Silverman said, “These are the greatest athletes on the biggest stage in the world and they deserve to have the games officiated correctly.  Frankly, so many of these errors could be avoided if the officials had better eyesight.  LASIK is the best way to achieve that and I make an open offer to any World Cup official to utilize our service, for the good of the sport.”

Former NHL referee and current ECAC Director of Officiating Paul Stewart was the first to take advantage of Silverman’s “LASIK the Refs” program.

Silverman recently provided free LASIK to eight members of several United States Olympic teams, including winter medalists: Curt Tomasevicz (bobsled – gold), Chad Hedrick (speedskating – silver and bronze), Molly Engstrom (hockey – silver), Katherine Reutter (short track speed skating – silver and bronze), and Erin Pac (bobsled – bronze).  For more information on Dr. Silverman’s Olympic initiative, go to: www.lasikforthegold.com.

LASIK uses a computer-controlled laser to reshape the cornea and correct refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Dr. Silverman employs the latest advances in LASIK surgery to provide patients with the highest level of vision correction possible. With the ALLEGRETTO WAVE® laser technology, he is able to customize the LASIK procedure to the vision needs of each individual patient.

To learn more about EyeCare 20/20, visit: www.eyecare2020.com. For more information on recent blown calls and the LASIK THE REFS program, go to: www.lasiktherefs.com. 

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