World Cup referees debacle forces FIFA's Sepp Blatter to reopen debate on technology
(Read article summary)As the furor over bad World Cup referees continues, Sepp Blatter, the head of world soccer's governing body, FIFA, said Tuesday that the debate over whether to use technology to aid refs will be reopened.
Sepp Blatter is talking tough today. It would be "a nonsense" not to consider changes to world soccer body FIFA's policy against allowing the officials to use modern technology, said the head of the Switzerland-based organization.
Mr. Blatter also waxed apologetic, explaining that he said sorry to England and Mexico officials after the disastrous performances of World Cup referees during Sunday's second round matches. (Refs missed a clear English goal in the England vs. Germany game and allowed a clearly illegal first goal by Argentina in the Argentina vs. Mexico game. Both errors featured in the Monitor's Top five refereeing gaffes of the 2010 World Cup)
"The English said 'thank you.' The Mexicans, they just go with the head," Blatter said, indicating that they nodded. "I understand that they are not happy. It was not a five-star game for refereeing."
