On the surface, the match offered the promise of two evenly matched teams. Stade Olympique l'Emyrne was the 2001 Madagascar national league's champion. Its opponent for the final match of the season, AS Adema, had just clinched the 2002 title. The match was played Oct. 31, 2003. It is a now legendary score. But officials of any sport can learn from this official's mistake.

Sadly, what began with promise turned into a mockery of the game, and the referee played a role in it by failing to use the powers granted him by the Laws of the Game.

Continued...