Sepp Blatter admits FIFA will reopen technology debate - Bookmakers offer odds
Sepp Blatter(credit:
AsianFC)
Paddy Power are offering 5/4 that technology will be used at Euro 2012, and 7/1 that it will be introduced for the 2010/11 Premier League campaign. It is 2/1 with SkyBet that use of technology will not be implemented at World Cup 2014, (4/11 it will be). William Hill make it 5/2 to be used the next World Cup in Brazil.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has admitted discussions into the use of technology in football will be reopened after two officiating blunders at the weekend.
England midfielder Frank Lampard was denied a perfectly good goal after the officials failed to see the ball cross the line, and Carlos Tevez’s opener against Mexico was given despite the Argentina striker being a yard offside.
Prior to the tournament Blatter had been insistent on his desire not to introduce technology to support match officials, but the two huge mistakes over the weekend have forced him to rethink.
He said: “With what we have experienced here, it would be nonsense to not reopen the file on technology at the next business meeting of the IFAB (July 20-21) in Wales.”
Blatter then went on to reveal he had apologised to both English and Mexican officials.
“I deplore the obvious refereeing mistakes we have seen,” he said.
“I understand the teams concerned are unhappy. I have personally said ‘I apologise for what happened’ to both England and Mexico. I understand the media criticism, it is their right and job to do so.
“Still, it’s not the end of the competition, it’s not the end of football. With the denial of the use of technology, we have to accept mistakes.”