No extra officials to be appointed at World Cup
After much debate, FIFA president Sepp Blatter has decided against introducing extra linesmen at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Following Thierry Henry’s heavily disputed goal against the Republic of Ireland, the world football’s governing body had been expected to quickly implement the extra goal-line officials in time for the tournament in South Africa next summer.
However, despite Henry’s handball goal effectively knocking the Irish out of the World Cup, Blatter has refused to rush the new laws forward. Even so, he has promised to conduct an enquiry into the benefits of video technology and goal-line officials for the future.
Blatter said: “The committee was of the opinion that we are at a crossroads: where shall we go with refereeing in the future? The game at the highest level is so tense that it is impossible for one referee and his assistants to see everything. But the committee concluded that they wanted a full inquiry into both options, extra officials and the use of video technology, before making any decision about the future.”
Elsewhere, it has been revealed that Henry will be investigated by FIFA about his actions in the much publicised play off encounter against Republic of Ireland.
