FIFA chief Blatter apologises for referee errors at World Cup

FIFA president Sepp Blatter apologized Tuesday for the refereeing mistakes that have blighted the World Cup and said soccer's governing body would look again at introducing goalline technology.

"It is obvious that after the experiences so far at this World Cup it would be a nonsense not to re-open the file on goalline technology," Blatter said at a briefing with selected media Tuesday.

"We cannot change anything with 10 games to go in the World Cup, but we will look again at technology, goalline technology, at the business meeting of the (law-making) International Football Association Board in Cardiff, Wales in July."

England and Mexico were the victims of blatant mistakes in their second round matches Sunday and Blatter said he had spoken to representatives of the two teams to express his regret.

"I have apologized to the two delegations," Blatter said on Tuesday.

He added: "I deplore when you see the evident referees' mistakes. It has not been a five-star game for referees. I am distressed by the evident referees' mistakes. I have expressed my apologies."


Blatter made clear his personal opposition to the use of goalline technology or video replays to help decide on marginal calls after the International Board, the sport's lawmaking body, voted against its introduction in March.

"The game must be played in the same way no matter where you are in the world," Blatter said in a statement on FIFA's website (www.fifa.com) at the time. "The simplicity and universality of the game is one of the reasons for its success.

"No matter which technology is applied, at the end of the day a decision will have to be taken by a human being. This being the case, why remove the responsibility from the referee to give it to someone else?"

The decision taken by IFAB in March was just the latest rejection of technology in soccer.

FIFA have examined various technology systems using either cameras or a chip in the ball for years. After experiments in junior competitions the systems were rejected as FIFA decided none was 100 per cent accurate.

TWIN MISTAKES

Blatter's re-think comes after two important decisions at World Cup matches in South Africa Sunday were shown by instant replays to be incorrect.

First, a shot from England midfielder Frank Lampard clattered against Germany's crossbar and bounced down well over the line when England, chasing a comeback, were 2-1 down.

The goal was not given and Germany went on to win the second round match 4-1.

In the later game, Mexico had been enjoying the better of the game against Argentina when Carlos Tevez opened the scoring from a clearly offside position, setting Diego Maradona's side on their way to a 3-1 win.

The twin mistakes highlighted the fact that soccer has become isolated, with other major international sports using video replays or infrared systems to decide on close calls or to track the ball.


(source: Reuters Canada)