Blatter apologizes and 'wants to talk'

[Bukefal]

JOHANNESBURG: England and Mexico received a fulsome apology from FIFA President Sepp Blatter on Tuesday over refereeing errors during their World Cup last 16 matches and announced FIFA would discuss the introduction of goal-line technology at a meeting next month in Cardiff.

The Swiss was reacting to two incidents on Sunday when England's Frank Lampard had a goal disallowed even though it was clearly over the line in the clash with Germany which would have made it 2-2. The Germans went on to win 4-1.

Mexico were also left aggrieved when Argentinian striker Carlos Tevez was clearly offside when he scored their first goal and it was made worse when the incident was shown on the big screen.

Referee Roberto Rosetti was unable to disallow the goal as he is forbidden to take into account such evidence. Argentina went on to win 3-1.

"Personally I deplore it when you see evident referee mistakes but it's not the end of a compe ion or the end of football, this can happen," said Blatter.

"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.

"I apologised to England and Mexico. The English said 'thank you' and accepted that you can win (some) and you lose (some), and the Mexicans bowed their head and accepted it.

Blatter said that the only technology that would be discussed would be goalline technology which would have made no difference to the Mexican game or indeed to the incident when Thierry Henry's handball set up what proved to be the crucial goal in the France vs Ireland World Cup play-off last November.

"The only principle we are going to bring back for discussion is goal-line technology," said Blatter.

"Football is a game that never stops and the moment there was a discussion if the ball was in or out, or there was a goal-scoring opportunity, do we give a possibility to a team to call for replays once or twice like in tennis?

"For situations like the Mexico game you don't need technology.

"Its obvious that that after what we have experienced so far it would be a nonsense not to reopen the technology topic in July (21-22) in Cardiff."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/w...ow/6105650.cms

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has apologized to England and Mexico for the refereeing errors that helped eliminate them from the World Cup and says FIFA will reopen the debate on introducing video technology.

Blatter said Tuesday that he said sorry to team officials, and that the delegations of both teams accepted his apology.

"Naturally we deplore when you see the evidence of refereeing mistakes," Blatter said.

Blatter said FIFA will "reopen the file" on video technology at a meeting of its rule-making panel in Wales next month.

He added that it would be "a nonsense" not to consider changes.

FIFA also will update its referee training program.

Blatter said FIFA has set a deadline of October or November to create a new concept for improving match control by referees and assistants "in high level compe ions."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/0..._n_628861.html

[Bukefal]

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has done a U-turn over the use of goal-line technology and apologized to the English and Mexican football associations for controversial refereeing decisions in their last 16 defeats.

Blatter told a media briefing in Johannesburg that FIFA "will naturally take on board the discussion on technology" and said the International FA Board would discuss it at their next meeting in Wales on July 21-22, the UK Press Association reported Tuesday.

Frank Lampard's goal that never was as England trailed 2-1 just before halftime in their last 16 match against Germany, prompted widespread calls for the use of video and goal-line technology after his shot clearly crossed the line.

In a later match on Sunday, Argentina's Carlos Tevez scored a hotly-disputed opening goal against Mexico in their 3-1 victory and television replays, which were broadcast on big screens at the ground, showed him to be offside.

Blatter added: "It happened in 1966 and then 44 years later -- though it was not quite the same," a reference to England's disputed third goal against West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final.

"I apologized to England and Mexico.

"The English said 'thank you and accepted that you can win some and you lose some, and the Mexicans bowed their head and accepted it," he told gathered reporters.

But the FIFA president is still set against the wider use of video technology which many in the game are calling to be introduced.

"The only principle we are going to bring back for discussion is goal-line technology," he said

Time for football to embrace technology ?
"Football is a game that never stops and the moment there was a discussion if the ball was in or out, or there was a goal-scoring opportunity, do we give a possibility to a team to call for replays once or twice like in tennis?
"For situations like the Mexico game you don't need technology."

Blatter added that the world governing body would launch a new drive to improve refereeing standards at the highest level later this year.

"We will come out with a new model in November on how to improve high level referees," he said.

"We will start with a new concept of how to improve match control. I cannot disclose more of what we are doing but something has to be changed."

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/fo...id=swKLTZOVUjG

[Phenomanul]

I hate the part where FIFA was more "upset" about the fact that the error/evidence was shown on the big screen monitors during the match, than over the errors themselves... That alone speaks volumes about their mentality, and their approach...

What are the Stadium techs supposed to do in that instance... not show the repe ion of the "goal"? People would immediately know something was amiss if that happened... There was a sequence during the 2nd half of the Mex/Arg game where the Argentinean defense cleared out a ball at the goal line... I was surprised no game replays were shown for that play, given what had happened earlier... Wasn't obvious at the time, but the defensive clearance was legit... albeit close... The doubt lingered in my mind until I saw the play analyzed in a 3rd party sports segment.

Strangely enough, both Manu and Messi agreed that the decisions were costly for the other team... in Messi's case he bluntly stated that the first goal was the turning point of the game, giving Argentina the 'in-game tranquility' to manage the rest of the game... Tevez just laughed when asked if his goal was offsides...

That game will forever leave a bitter taste for Mexican fans...

As for the Mexican team, they were completely demoralized when they saw that Argentina had been gifted a goal... I don't justify their reaction and their loss of focus but I understand it... It's not the same thing to fall behind on the scoreboard knowing you conceded a goal versus knowing that the goal was illegitimate, and that other forces were seemingly against you as well... especially against a frontline as talented as Argentina's... it seemed like an insurmountable hurdle at that point...

In the case of England / Germany... karma was just returning the favor from decades ago where the English were gifted a goal that never was... against the Germans...

[ElNono]

Tevez just laughed when asked if his goal was offsides...

Actually, Tevez said he knew he was offside and that was the reason that the first thing he did after scoring was to turn around and look at the linesman.

[Bukefal]

I hate the part where FIFA was more "upset" about the fact that the error/evidence was shown on the big screen monitors during the match, than over the errors themselves... That alone speaks volumes about their mentality, and their approach...

Yeah that was ridiculous. Instead that they were giving statements and apologies for the bad calls, the thing they were talking about was in the future they will forbid recaps on the screen of such plays. Censorship it is, looks like North Korea lol. It's just one big powerful mafia smh.

[Phenomanul]

Actually, Tevez said he knew he was offside and that was the reason that the first thing he did after scoring was to turn around and look at the linesman.

...and immediately ran the other way to celebrate... I know Carlitos said that as well... I wasn't trying to suggest he denied the error... he just laughed it off... as only those on your side can... Mexicans surely aren't laughing about this error...

Mexico has never, in the history of these tournaments, managed to get one of these "calls" to go in their favor... Nor do I think they ever will...

Like it or not teams like Argentina, Italy and Germany have gotten many such calls over the years... at least in Argentina's case, they tasted the other side of the coin when the phantom penalty was called against them in the 1990 WC Final... and not surprisingly, it was the Germans who capitalized on it...

As I said earlier... that's why I can root for Brazil... the "luck" angle isnt as prevalent a force in their World Cup successes... (and before you perceive that comment as insulting... just consder the history)... In no way does that mean that your teams aren't as talented... simply that you also have luck to go along with that talent... It's part of every sport...

Mexico is simply unlucky when it comes to such matters...

[MaNuMaNiAc]

Isn't it amazing how a ref up allows a whole country to completely forget all their teams shortcomings and have a scapegoat for their failure to win?

I swear, the only reason we're even discussing the Tevez offside was because it was a very evident mistake. As in no question he was offside, and that's fine. Something needs to be done about these sort of calls, but botched offside calls are a dime a dozen. The Mexico offside doesn't even begin to qualify as being in the same level as the US and England disallowed goals.

Lampards goal was the result of the English stepping up play when it mattered, scoring two goals in succession, the latter one being disallowed when it was no question it was in. This was a play of merit. The English can say they were jobbed out of something they earnestly created and weren't given credit for.

The Tevez offside was indeed an offside, and yeah the goal shouldn't have counted, but what exactly is the most Mexican's can say about it? They certainly can't claim they were screwed out of something they created and deserved... 99% of that play was horrible Mexican defense. The ball didn't get there by magic. This isn't the same as the English. At all IMO.

Don't get me wrong, I agree the goal shouldn't have counted, I agree the ref ed up, I completely disagree that this gives Mexican's carte blanche to rewrite the result of the game. I'm so ing tired of my Mexican friends pulling that card. I think in that regard I hate the ref even more than any Mexican does.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

...and immediately ran the other way to celebrate... I know Carlitos said that as well... I wasn't trying to suggest he denied the error... he just laughed it off... as only those on your side can... Mexicans surely aren't laughing about this error...

Mexico has never, in the history of these tournaments, managed to get one of these "calls" to go in their favor... Nor do I think they ever will...

Like it or not teams like Argentina, Italy and Germany have gotten many such calls over the years... at least in Argentina's case, they tasted the other side of the coin when the phantom penalty was called against them in the 1990 WC Final... and not surprisingly, it was the Germans who capitalized on it...

As I said earlier... that's why I can root for Brazil... the "luck" angle isnt as prevalent a force in their World Cup successes... (and before you perceive that comment as insulting... just consder the history)... In no way does that mean that your teams aren't as talented... simply that you also have luck to go along with that talent... It's part of every sport...

Mexico is simply unlucky when it comes to such matters...

yeah, Germany's penalty wasn't the only questionable call we've gotten against us in WCs. England's penalty in 2002 which contributed to us going home in the group stage was the result of Owen and Beckham diving like cliff divers and there have been many more in the past. So what?

You're not the only team to face bad calls against them. Christ, its always the same thing with you. Its never Mexico's shortcomings its always everyone else's fault. Europe doesn't take Mexican players because they discriminate against them, Mexico doesn't win because they are somehow cursed with bad luck, as if no other team in history has had to face calls like this...

and no, the reason why you can root for Brazil is because Mexico never wins anything and bandwagon fans hitch theirs to whoever does. No shame in admitting it, but DO admit it.

I'm sorry, I'm just tired of the overwhelming amount of bull posturing by my Mexico friends and this is the best place to rant about it.

[diego]

please, brasil wasnt lucky in 2002? they got a penalty kick on a foul 2meters outside the area, they got a player ejected for a dead ball flop- no player to player contact, ball to player!- on a corner kick (rivaldo vs. turkey).
or the luis fabiano double hand ball just now vs CIV?
and in the copa america, tulio's hand ball...

nevermind the easy groups they always get

better yet, when was the last time brazil got screwed by a call? exactly.

[ffadicted]

Lighten up buttercup

[diego]

tried to post a gif but apparently doesnt work, there's a youtube with all of it-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeE4Sl_i63k

[diego]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5pJx...eature=related

same WC, typical brazilian- we dont like jogo bonito when its done to us so we'll foul you and take you out. roberto carlos takes mansiz down from behind, clearly taking away the advantage for turkey, where is the card?

complete double standard.

no one's crying FF, just showing its a myth that brazil doesnt get favorable calls, but please keep posting emoticons, they're much better than an actual argument.

[it's me]

...and immediately ran the other way to celebrate... I know Carlitos said that as well... I wasn't trying to suggest he denied the error... he just laughed it off... as only those on your side can... Mexicans surely aren't laughing about this error...

Mexico has never, in the history of these tournaments, managed to get one of these "calls" to go in their favor... Nor do I think they ever will...

Like it or not teams like Argentina, Italy and Germany have gotten many such calls over the years... at least in Argentina's case, they tasted the other side of the coin when the phantom penalty was called against them in the 1990 WC Final... and not surprisingly, it was the Germans who capitalized on it...

As I said earlier... that's why I can root for Brazil... the "luck" angle isnt as prevalent a force in their World Cup successes... (and before you perceive that comment as insulting... just consder the history)... In no way does that mean that your teams aren't as talented... simply that you also have luck to go along with that talent... It's part of every sport...

Mexico is simply unlucky when it comes to such matters...

Sure …. because for FIFA isn’t a good idea to have a Concacrap teams to advance .. specially Mexico, who’s fans consume futbol more than any other…. FIFA wants the same teams to win every tournament… jezzz Mexicans never change… there’s always somebody else’s fault, they are perfect and that is one of the reason you’re becoming Argentina’s grand grand sons…. Instead of always blaming others, step up your game and correct mistakes. The bad call affected Argentina more than Mexico…… That was the game with more fouls in the WC and Torrado was the player to commit more fouls in the same game , ing pathetic, Marquez throwing elbows…. Both, Torrado and Marquez should have seen the red card… but for a ing lineman mistake , they played and Torrado didn’t even see the yellow…… pathetic. Mexicans, stop crying.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

Sure …. because for FIFA isn’t a good idea to have a Concacrap teams to advance .. specially Mexico, who’s fans consume futbol more than any other…. FIFA wants the same teams to win every tournament… jezzz Mexicans never change… there’s always somebody else’s fault, they are perfect and that is one of the reason you’re becoming Argentina’s grand grand sons…. Instead of always blaming others, step up your game and correct mistakes. The bad call affected Argentina more than Mexico…… That was the game with more fouls in the WC and Torrado was the player to commit more fouls in the same game , ing pathetic, Marquez throwing elbows…. Both, Torrado and Marquez should have seen the red card… but for a ing lineman mistake , they played and Torrado didn’t even see the yellow…… pathetic. Mexicans, stop crying.

woah, I wouldn't go that far. Nobody here disputes that Mexico was affected by the bad call. Not to the extent most Mexican fans like to claim IMO but they were definitely screwed on the call.

I would also like to add that the Mexican players have been nothing but class about the whole thing.

[Muser]

They need to put the technology in ASAP, if something like Lampards goal happens in the final it's going to be a travesty.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

They need to put the technology in ASAP, if something like Lampards goal happens in the final it's going to be a travesty.

It was a travesty when it happened to England. Its a travesty that it had to happen this blatantly and in a WC for Blatter to get his head out of his ass. We'll see what the solution they come up with ends up being.

[resistanze]

He's an asshole.

[Phenomanul]

I hate the part where FIFA was more "upset" about the fact that the error/evidence was shown on the big screen monitors during the match, than over the errors themselves... That alone speaks volumes about their mentality, and their approach...

What are the Stadium techs supposed to do in that instance... not show the repe ion of the "goal"? People would immediately know something was amiss if that happened... There was a sequence during the 2nd half of the Mex/Arg game where the Argentinean defense cleared out a ball at the goal line... I was surprised no game replays were shown for that play, given what had happened earlier... Wasn't obvious at the time, but the defensive clearance was legit... albeit close... The doubt lingered in my mind until I saw the play analyzed in a 3rd party sports segment.

Strangely enough, both Manu and Messi agreed that the decisions were costly for the other team... in Messi's case he bluntly stated that the first goal was the turning point of the game, giving Argentina the 'in-game tranquility' to manage the rest of the game... Tevez just laughed when asked if his goal was offsides...

That game will forever leave a bitter taste for Mexican fans...

As for the Mexican team, they were completely demoralized when they saw that Argentina had been gifted a goal... I don't justify their reaction and their loss of focus but I understand it... It's not the same thing to fall behind on the scoreboard knowing you conceded a goal versus knowing that the goal was illegitimate, and that other forces were seemingly against you as well... especially against a frontline as talented as Argentina's... it seemed like an insurmountable hurdle at that point...

In the case of England / Germany... karma was just returning the favor from decades ago where the English were gifted a goal that never was... against the Germans...

In case you missed it MaNuMaNiAc...

I'm not making excuses for the game... Mexico has been Argentina's stepping stone for years, I've said so on many occasions...

I've also brought up the fact that Mexico can in fact prevail over the "Football ans"; Germany and Argentina notwithstanding... look at their history against Brazil and Italy over the past decade or so...

Frankly, I don't care that you're peeved against your Mexican friends... Get over it your team won!!! But that won't negate the fact that Argentina's first goal completely changed the balance of the game... and no... the ball didn't get there "magically,".... it did so illegitimately... your team was gifted a goal they clearly didn't earn...

Don't give me all this B.S. on how only England or the U.S. have legitimate reasons to feel annoyed with FIFA... The U.S. fought back and scored 3 goals after falling behind 2-0 on legitimately conceded goals... the fact that their last goal was disallowed only changed the outcome of the game... at the time the call was made it didn't have a chance to affect the players to as great of an extent because the game was almost over... some of the players however, were completely outraged after the game (specifically Altidore and Bradley).... Despite all that, the U.S. still ended up 1st place in their group...

Mexico was holding Argentina in check before Tevez's goal... that they unraveled afterwards because they're mentally weak doesn't mean I don't understand why they felt the game was unwinnable at that point... They knew they had to play the perfect game to beat Argentina, because they realized going in that the feat was daunting... from that point forward, however, they knew it would be next to impossible... especially because the referee admitted to seeing the replay on the jumbotron (Rafael Marquez knows some italian) but had to give-in to the decision of the linesman even though he knew the call was wrong... That's why the Argentinean players jumped in on the gathering... they didn't want the goal dissallowed, and the ref was only seconds away from doing so... If it didn't matter either way, why were the Argentinean players so against having it revoked? Fact is they needed that goal more than you would be willing to admit. Lionel Messi reiterated that fact after the game (my favorite footballer BTW)... and I trust his assessment of the situation more than yours...

The game will be historically marred whether you like it or not... And no, I don't care if that upsets you. Good luck against the Germans.

That said, if Mexico didn't want to go out against Argentina, they should have ponied up and beat Uruguay... Since they failed to do that, they deserved to lose in the round of 16...

[Phenomanul]

yeah, Germany's penalty wasn't the only questionable call we've gotten against us in WCs. England's penalty in 2002 which contributed to us going home in the group stage was the result of Owen and Beckham diving like cliff divers and there have been many more in the past. So what?

You're not the only team to face bad calls against them. Christ, its always the same thing with you. Its never Mexico's shortcomings its always everyone else's fault. Europe doesn't take Mexican players because they discriminate against them, Mexico doesn't win because they are somehow cursed with bad luck, as if no other team in history has had to face calls like this...

and no, the reason why you can root for Brazil is because Mexico never wins anything and bandwagon fans hitch theirs to whoever does. No shame in admitting it, but DO admit it.

I'm sorry, I'm just tired of the overwhelming amount of bull posturing by my Mexico friends and this is the best place to rant about it.

Fail...

I also root for Brazil because my grandmother is Brazilian... Mexico-U.S.A.-Brazil; those have always been my soccer allegiances...

But thanks for showing everyone here your whole tirade is bit overdramatic and a bit too personal... and caution, the more you take it there... don't think for a second that I won't gloat over the fact that Brazil has accomplished far more than Argentina on the world stage...

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

No surprise here. I said it before that the top flight teams get the apparent 'missed' calls and get help all the time. Now even the head of FIFA is inadvertently backing those claims

Heck look at how France got to the world cup. It is just lucky that the French and Italians were beyond horrible this World Cup

[Muser]

Didn't want to make a thread like all the Donovan reactions, but watch this

[Muser]

, embedding won't work with it. Watch it on youtube anyway.

[ElNono]

ing Blatter also confirmed today that there will be no extra qualifying spots for South America going forward, and they'll have to stick with the 4+1 they have now...

[urunobili]

ing Blatter also confirmed today that there will be no extra qualifying spots for South America going forward, and they'll have to stick with the 4+1 they have now...

This truly sucks... teams that mostly use local players have an advantage over those that need to fly from the opposite hemisphere to come train get used tot he time / weather differential and play 5 days after... truly lame...unless Uruguay wins it all it'll struggle to make it to the next one again because of this

[DAF86]

...and immediately ran the other way to celebrate... I know Carlitos said that as well... I wasn't trying to suggest he denied the error... he just laughed it off... as only those on your side can... Mexicans surely aren't laughing about this error...

Mexico has never, in the history of these tournaments, managed to get one of these "calls" to go in their favor... Nor do I think they ever will...

Like it or not teams like Argentina, Italy and Germany have gotten many such calls over the years... at least in Argentina's case, they tasted the other side of the coin when the phantom penalty was called against them in the 1990 WC Final... and not surprisingly, it was the Germans who capitalized on it...

As I said earlier... that's why I can root for Brazil... the "luck" angle isnt as prevalent a force in their World Cup successes... (and before you perceive that comment as insulting... just consder the history)... In no way does that mean that your teams aren't as talented... simply that you also have luck to go along with that talent... It's part of every sport...

Mexico is simply unlucky when it comes to such matters...

Dude GTFO, Brazil may be the most benefited team in the history of football, do you remember Havelange?