Technology call after 'goal that never was'
Updated on 27 June 2010
Sports minister Hugh Robertson is leading the calls for change as a goal from Frank Lampard, which could have changed England's fortunes, was not allowed. Head of referees for the South African Football Association, Steve Goddard, tells Channel 4 News video evidence could be "time-wasting".
Going out of the World Cup before the quarter finals - and, even worse, to old enemy Germany - was never going to be a happy occasion.
For many England fans though, the real sting will be in Frank Lampard's disallowed strike.
The Chelsea midfielder could have brought the game level at 2-2 before half time, but his goal was not allowed by the referee and linesman, despite replays showing it clearly crossed the line.
In fact, it crossed the line so clearly that it it is understood that German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who was watching the game at the G20 summit with Prime Minister David Cameron, felt the need to apologise.
In a statement, Mr Cameron said: "The country will wonder 'what if?' after Frank Lampard's disallowed goal, but it was a disappointing result. At least we were all spared the agony of penalties."
Sports minister Hugh Robertson said: "This was a disappointing end to a tournament in which England hardly ever performed.
"Once the dust has settled, I hope the FA take a long hard look at the reasons why, and FIFA reassess their opposition to using goal-line technology."
There's historical precedent here - in another World Cup Germany/England clash, back in 1966. England won, going on to win the World Cup, after they were awarded a goal which analysis has since showed did not entirely cross the line.
The debacle brings to the fore debates before the World Cup over whether to include goal-line technology to avoid this kind of argument.
Technology was comprehensively ruled out ahead of the competition by the International FA Board.
In March, Fifa's general secretary, Jérôme Valcke said: "If we start with goal-line technology then any part of the game and pitch will be a potential space where you could put in place technology to see if the ball was in or out, whether it was a penalty and then you end up with video replays. The door is closed."
FIFA declined to comment over whether there would be any change in its stance following today's game.
Steve Goddard, head of referees for the South African Football Association, told Channel 4 News: "Let's give some credit to the assistant referee in that he was so far away from play, he was doing his job correctly and at the end of everything, he would have been guessing if he has signalled a goal the distance he was back from the goal line.
"The worry is that if one keeps going to breaks, as sometimes occurs in both rugby and cricket, it will become a timewasting exercise.
"My own personal point of view is that we should have been using two additional assistants, which are curently being used in the Europa league. If one of those had been in position in Bloemfontein this afternoon, he would have clearly seen that ball cross the line and I think that is the route to go."
