Spl.Photos: England Back to Home

[welcomewiki]

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has apologised to the Football Association over England's disallowed goal in the disastrous match against Germany.
Blatter, who has been vocal in his dislike of goal-line technology in the past, said today that FIFA will discuss bringing in such equipment in a meeting planned for next month.
Frank Lampard's goal during England's 4-1 defeat on Sunday was ruled out even though the ball clearly crossed the line and fans and commentators alike have questioned why available technology has not been used in the World Cup.

Grovelling: FIFA President Sepp Blatter has apologised over Frank Lampard's disallowed goal

Blatter told a media briefing in Johannesburg today: 'It is obvious that after the experience so far in this World Cup it would be a nonsense to not reopen the file of technology at the business meeting of the International FA Board in July.
'Personally I deplore it when you see evident referee mistakes but it's not the end of a competition or the end of football, this can happen.


More...

• Glad you're finding it funny: Players joke hours after England's humiliating exit... but they won't be laughing over room thefts
• Now it's time to start planning the holidays! WAGs return home after England's early exit
• World Cup 2010: Virals hit the internet as fans react with fury to Frank Lampard's disallowed goal
• STEPHEN GLOVER: Losing a football match is NOT a national tragedy so isn't it time we all grew up?
• Revealed: Why your office colleagues and neighbours are getting to see the World Cup action seconds before you
• England team face final indignity as hotel cleaners steal their *********
• How much do England's 'stars' earn - and why it might be about to fall

'The only thing I can do is yesterday I have spoken to the two federations (England and Mexico) directly concerned by referees mistakes. I have expressed to them apologies and I understand they are not happy and that people are criticising.
'We will naturally take on board the discussion on technology and have first opportunity in July at the business meeting.'
Last year Blatter announced that FIFA had no plans to introduce goal-line technology so that football can remain a game for 'human beings'.

Wrong decision: Lampard's goal during Sunday's England v Germany World Cup clash clearly travelled more than a yard over the line

He said he was reluctant to introduce a system similar to that of rugby, tennis and cricket, because it could potentially delay the game.

He said: 'I do not think, and the Fifa Congress are of the same view, that you can afford to stop the game, and with the camera system HawkEye showed us, there is a delay in announcing the decision and the situation can change.
'The International Football Association Board is of the opinion that football will remain, for the time being, a game for human beings with errors on the field of play. We will try to improve referees but you will never erase errors completely.'

But after the major blunder over Lampard's goal and a further error during Sunday's match between Argentina and Mexico - in which Carlos Tevez's 'goal' was allowed, despite him being in a blatantly offisde position - Blatter appears to be having a change of heart.