Last night I went to see the Canada-Mexico World Cup qualifier, and I think I figured out why Mexico is such a poor country, because they appear to be spending all their money paying off referees, and take diving lessons.
A Canadian was going up to head the ball just outside the box. The Mexican elbowed him in the face. The Canadian player was injured and had to be taken out of the game. The Mexican rolled around like he'd been shot. Now, apparently, it's illegal to hit somebody's elbow with your face in soccer, because the injured Canadian player got the yellow card (at which time the Mexican player miraculously rose from the dead). Meanwhile, Mexico scored on the ensuing free kick to tie the game and essentially ensure a berth in the next round of qualifying.
And people wonder why this sport isn't more popular in North America.