FIFA: Argentina goal replay a mistake
Reuters - Monday 28 June 2010, 11:38
JOHANNESBURG - It was a mistake to show
replays of Argentina's controversial opening goal against Mexico
on giant stadium screens during Sunday's World Cup game, world football's governing body said on Monday.
The replay of Carlos Tevez's opening goal from a clear
offside position sparked a melee during the game and at
half-time rival substitutes squared up to one another behind the
Mexican bench.
"This shouldn't happen," FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot told
a news conference. "Replays can be shown but not when there are
controversial situations. We will work on this and be tighter in
future."
"It has worked so far very well. Last night was a mistake.
It should not happen again," he added, declining to answer
numerous questions on the contentious decisions made by referees
and FIFA's rejection of goal line technology.
In another questionable decision that angered English fans
on Sunday, England were denied an equaliser in their match
against Germany when a shot from Frank Lampard hit the crossbar
and clearly bounced behind the goal line.
FIFA is under increasing pressure to allow goal line
technology or an extra referee behind the goal line to assist in
such situations.
Spanish striker Fernando Torres said steps were needed to
stop mistakes by officials altering the course of matches.
"We're tired of asking for technological help for these
kinds of situations because they can determine something as
important as whether you get knocked out of a World Cup," he
told a Spanish radio station.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has rejected goal line
technology, saying he wants football to be played under the same
rules at all levels and retain its human element.
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