England-Germany ‘blunder referees’ under South African police guard
By ANIMonday, June 28, 2010
BLOEMFONTEIN - South African Police has said that England-Germany Round of 16 match referee Jorge Larrionda and his blundering assistant Mauricio Espinosa are under police guard to avoid any untoward incident.
England crashed out of the World Cup after they lost Sunday’s game 1-4.
Angry England fans had booed the referees as they left the pitch at half time after the shocking touch line decision, which saw Frank Lampard’s goal being disallowed.
Police said that their officers would ensure that no member of the public could get close to the two referees.
“The officials will be protected by a team of elite close protection officers. Nobody will be allowed to get anywhere near them,” The Mirror quoted Vishnu Naidoo, police spokesman, as saying.
Replays of the 38th-minute strike were also shown on TV screens inside the Bloemfontein Free State stadium within seconds.
Tim Cunningham, an England fan who was at the stadium, said: It’s so frustrating, and dare I say typical bad luck for England. The ball was well inside the goal. I saw it from my seat.”
“How linesmen and a ref could make such a catastrophic error I just don’t know. In this day and age Fifa should wake up and allow technology just like in tennis and cricket. It’s an injustice,” he added. (ANI)
