5 feuds from the round of 16

Enough with the feelgood stories.

The round of 16 featured a number of fixtures that were marred by tension. Referees were called out because of their nationality, coaches accused other coaches of trying to avoid their respective team in the knockout stage, and one country's president didn't hesitate to refer to FIFA as "old sons of bitches."

In other words, the eight matches featured many of the things we've come to expect from a tournament as controversial as the World Cup.

Here are five feuds from the round of 16:

Jurgen Klinsmann vs. Algerian referee

Upon finding out that the United States' quarterfinal against Belgium would be officiated by Algerian referee Djamel Haimoudi, Jurgen Klinsmann didn't hesitate to share his feelings on the matter.

Klinsmann, concerned about the fact that Haimoudi speaks French and hails from a country that met Belgium in the group stage, passive-aggressively took aim at the referee on the eve of the United States' elimination against the Red Devils.

"Well, we always have a concern," said Klinsmann about Haimoudi's nationality. "We know he did two games already thus far and he did them very well. So we wish he continues his refereeing [the] perfect way he's done so far."

That obviously doesn't sound terrible, but there's more.

"Is it a good feeling?" Klinsmann continued. "No. Because he's coming from the same group as Belgium and Algeria."

Brazilian spokesman vs. Mauricio Pinilla

Things got ugly during the interval of Brazil's drama-filled penalty-shootout win over Chile.

While both teams walked towards the dressing room, Brazil team spokesman Rodrigo Paiva got into a physical confrontation with Chilean striker Mauricio Pinilla. 

The scuffle was sparked by Fred slapping Gary Medel on the back of the heads, and although Paiva claims no punches were thrown, shoves were exchanged and FIFA subsequently handed Paiva a one-game suspension for his involvement in the incident.

Perhaps Pinilla should get a tattoo of the confrontation somewhere on his body.

Miguel Herrera vs. Pedro Proenca

When he's not becoming an Internet sensation for his Super Saiyan-style celebrations, Mexico manager Miguel Herrera can be seen calling out referees for giving conspicuous penalties.

Mexico's elimination from the World Cup was controversial to say the least. Referee Pedro Proenca awarded the Netherlands a game-winning penalty in second-half stoppage time after Arjen Robben fell to the ground following a challenge from Rafa Marquez. Although there was contact, many people, including Herrera, believe that Robben embellished as he's known to do.

"The penalty was invented. I hope the referees’ committee looks at the decision and that he, like us, goes home," an animated Herrera said. "We’re leaving [the World Cup] because of the fact that the decision to stay was not in our hands. If they have a conscience, he should not take charge of another game at the World Cup.”

There's more. Lots more.

“Every doubtful decision went against Mexico. There were three dives [from Robben]. He had to be booked. You can play the advantage, good, but then the difference between a good referee and an average one is the good one goes back and books him. If he dives again he gets sent off. He now knows he is not going to try it again.

“In 2006, a great goal from Argentina’s Maxi Rodríguez knocked Mexico out. That can happen and if it does, so be it. That’s football. But today was not a great goal; today was a bad refereeing decision that knocked us out. I hope the referee goes home too. We’re leaving because the decision to stay was not in our hands. The most decisive factor today has been the man with the whistle.”\

Never change, Herrera.

Uruguay vs. FIFA

FIFA has never been popular in South America, and the corrupt organization did themselves no favors in terms of bettering relations by handing Luis Suarez a nine-match ban from Uruguay fixtures as well as a four-month ban from all football-related activities for biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini.

In Uruguay, the entire nation rallied together to voice its disapproval of what it believed was a fascist overreaction by FIFA that aimed to derail the tiny country's run in Brazil. 

Of course, some media outlets went so far as to claim that there was a conspiracy at work and fully deny that any biting had taken place. But most Uruguayans simply took offense to the hefty suspension while acknowledging that what Suarez did was wrong.

Perhaps no one was more insulted than Uruguyan president Jose Mujica, who is known as the "world's poorest president" as he lives in a farmhouse, donates considerable amounts of money to social projects, and drives an old Volkswagen Beetle. If that isn't enough to make you love him, consider that he speaks his mind to a remarkable degree for a president.

"FIFA are a bunch of old sons of bitches," said Mujica about Suarez's suspension.

Kevin-Prince Boateng vs. Ghana

Even though Ghana didn't advance from Group G, harsh words were exchanged during the round of 16 between coach Kwesi Appiah and Kevin-Prince Boateng, who was kicked off the team days earlier along with teammate Sulley Muntari. 

The Ghana Football Association said the suspension was for "uttering vulgar verbal insults" at Appiah.

Prince-Boateng responded with a full-on attack on the GFA, claiming its World Cup preparations were "amateurish."

“The GFA president visited me in Milan begging me to play for Ghana again," Prince-Boateng said. "He gave me his word that we would have better travel, better organisation and preparation. He has not kept his word. In the end I was just still dissatisfied.

“The flight from Miami to Brazil a week later took 12 hours and we sat and concentrated in economy class. The legs ached. It sounds strange for an average citizen, but for a competitive athlete that is a disgrace. The Ghana FA president sat in business class with his wife and two children. And then in Brazil, we finally had a charter flight but my luggage was lost. Two days without football boots – it was a disaster.”

While his words sound like the whining of an entitled professional athlete, such a situation likely won't arise again as Appiah has insisted that Prince-Boateng won't be selected under his watch ever again.