Fifa Refuses To Address Technology Questions

World football governing body FIFA has again refused to address the use of technology in the game after refereeing mistakes in recent World Cup last-16 ties.

England’s Frank Lampard was denied a clear goal against Germany and Carlos Tevez’s first goal for Argentina against Mexico was allowed to stand despite him standing offside.

But FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot said: ‘We will not enter into any debate on refereeing at the daily media briefing. I am not competent to do so’.

Maingot added: ‘The International FA Board, which FIFA is a member of along with the four British associations, dealt with this topic in March. A clear decision on the use of technology was taken at the time.’

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has previously voiced strong opposition to the introduction of goal-line technology.

But managers, players and fans have started to call for the use of technology that is used in other sports such as cricket and tennis.

International players’ union FIFPro has voiced its calls for the introduction of technology into the game: ‘There is not a single convincing argument against the use of goal-line technology,’ said Tijs Tummers, secretary of FIFPro’s technical committee.

Blatter has preached that video technology would break up the rhythm of the game and take time to come to a decision, but the inventor of Hawk-Eye, Paul Hawkins, has said that it will only take half a second to tell if a ball had crossed the goal line.

Maingot also added that FIFA will crack down on replays on the giant screens in the stadiums after replays of Tevez’s disputed goal against Mexico caused arguments on the pitch.