FIFA President finally apologises for Lampard ‘goal’, vows technology review

JOHANNESBURG - FIFA President Sepp Blatter has apologized to the Football Association over England midfielder Frank Lampard’s disallowed ‘goal’, and said that the governing body would look again at goal-line technology.

Lampard’s ‘goal’ during England’s 4-1 defeat to Germany was ruled out even though the ball clearly crossed the line.

He also apologized for Sunday’s controversial incident in World Cup Round of 16 match between Argentina and Mexico, where Carlos Tevez scored the opening goal from a blatantly offside position.

The blunders have led to renewed calls for the introduction of technology.

“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,” The Mirror quoted Blatter, as saying.

“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. 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,” he added.

The FIFA president further said that the International Football Association Board (IFAB) would look again at the goal-line technology.

“The only principle we are going to bring back for discussion is goal-line technology,” Blatter said. (ANI)