Goal-line technology in football has moved a step closer after FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke revealed the 2010 World Cup is set to be the last tournament under the existing refereeing system. In an interview with the BBC, Valcke admitted the moment when television replays showed Frank Lampard had scored a goal in England's second round defeat by Germany was 'a bad day' for organisers. But following the fallout from that and other controversial refereeing mistakes in South Africa, Valcke hinted that major changes would be made before the next World Cup in Brazil in 2014. He said: 'We are talking about a single goal not seen by the referee which is why we are talking about new technology. But, again let's see if this system will help or whether giving the referee an additional four eyes will give him the comfort and make duty easier to perform, then why not? 
I would say that it is the final World Cup with the current refereeing system.' Although Valcke's comments will be interpreted as a change of policy by FIFA following the International Football Association Board's decision to reject goal-line technology and other aids for referees in March, the FIFA general secretary said the speed at which the modern game was played meant the whole approach to refereeing had to be reformed. 'The teams and the players are so strong and so fast. The game is different and the referees are older than all the players,' said Valcke. 'The game is so fast, the ball is flying so quickly, we have to help them and we have to do something and that's why I say it is the last World Cup under the current system.' FIFA president Sepp Blatter has repeatedly rejected calls for the introduction of goal-line technology or TV replays, insisting an element of human error has always been a part of the game. Opponents have also pointed to concerns over universality - that all levels of the game should be subjected to the same rules and methods of refereeing. But following the Lampard incident and Carlos Tevez's offside strike for Argentina against Mexico a few hours later, Blatter performed a dramatic U-turn, saying that it would be 'a nonsense' not to reopen the file on technology. IFAB - the game's rule making body which consists of representatives of the English, Scottish, Northern Irish and Welsh FAs as well as four representatives from FIFA - is due to hold a meeting on 21 July where the issue is expected to be discussed. But Valcke added that it was unlikely to hold serious discussions until a further meeting scheduled for October. In March, IFAB heard presentations from two companies pitching to introduce systems which they say provide definitive proof when the ball has crossed the line for a goal. But both Cairos Goal-line technology, which uses a microchip inside a football and magnetic fields around the goal line, and Hawk-Eye, which uses six television cameras positioned around the goal, were rejected. The Cairos system was tested by FIFA in the World Club Championships in Japan in 2007, but despite their claims that the test was a success, IFAB again rejected the proposal in March 2008. Both Hawk-Eye - used in international cricket - and Cairos insist cost is not an issue as they offered to pay for the installation of the system in return for a share of sponsorship rights. The introduction of two extra referees positioned on the goal-line, a move initiated by UEFA president Michel Platini, was trialled last season in the Europa League and is set to be used in the Champions League this coming season and, again, seemed to be something of a success. But again, IFAB turned down the chance to introduce it in time for the World Cup in South Africa.
FIFA has said that fans who missed Wednesday's World Cup semi-final between Spain and Germany because of airport congestion may be compensated. Durban's King Shaka Airport turned away flights after an increase in private jets took up all its landing slots. Ah, football. Remember. 'The People's Game'? FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot told reporters the governing body would look into the cases of fans affected. He also said match security will be tightened after an Italian fan invaded the field of play holding a vuvuzela.
Mark Lawrenson, beautifully, described the incident on the BBC as 'somebody who's been drinking without a head!' The fan ran on to the pitch during the opening moments of the first half of the second semi-final - won 1-0 by Spain - before being caught by security. Maingot described the incident as 'certainly not acceptable,' adding that FIFA will 'tighten the controls again' ahead of Sunday's final between Spain and the Netherlands. The Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban was reportedly eighteen hundred short of full capacity for Spain's 1-0 victory over Germany. King Shaka Airport was so congested that even planes which landed successfully had to take to the air again and divert to the other local airport, Durban International. Airports Company South Africa blamed VIP jets for making five flights - carrying approximately seven hundred fans - late by not moving after landing, therefore blocking landing space for the other planes. Some fans missed the entire match. Airport officials have now said that VIP jets will be towed if they refuse to make way for commercial airlines at Johannesburg Airport on Sunday. 'We are going to be more forceful. If aircraft refuse to move we will tow them away,' ACSA operations manager Themba Maseko stated. ACSA chief executive Monhla Hlahla told a local radio station that 'priority had to be given to VIPs who were caught up in the situation,' adding that FIFA planes were allowed to land before commercial flights. A statement that should, frankly, see the man fired. Preferably out of a cannon. South Africa's transport minister Sibusiso Ndebele has apologised to the fans and vowed to 'strengthen' plans for the remainder of the World Cup.
Englishman Howard Webb has been chosen to referee the World Cup final between Netherlands and Spain in Johannesburg on Sunday, FIFA has confirmed. The thirty eight-year-old Yorkshireman has had a good tournament so far, as have his assistants Michael Mullarkey and Darren Cann, who will join him in the final. Webb is the first Englishman to referee the final since Jack Taylor in 1974.
He has refereed three World Cup matches in South Africa and has neither shown a red card nor awarded a penalty. Webb's first match in charge was Spain's shock 1-0 defeat by Switzerland. He was also in charge for Slovakia's 3-2 victory against Italy - which saw the defending champions knocked out of the tournament - and was praised for his handling of a dramatic finale to the match. In the last-sixteen stage Webb refereed Brazil's 3-0 win over Chile, but he missed out on the quarter-finals and semi-finals. Webb and his assistants have enjoyed a highly successful season, having already officiated the Champions League final in May, when Inter Milan beat Bayern Munich in Madrid. And their performances have boosted English referees' standing around the world after the debacle in the 2006 World Cup when Graham Poll handed out three yellow cards to one player during the match between Australia and Croatia.
A Sunday Mirror journalist arrested after a fan entered England's World Cup dressing room is due to go on trial in South Africa this weekend. Simon Wright is accused of attempting to defeat the ends of justice and breaching the Immigration Act. His lawyer, William Booth, said there was 'never any evidence' of conspiracy between Wright and the football fan. Pavlos Joseph from London, paid a sixty five pound fine last week. As a result, all charges against him were dropped. Mortgage adviser Joseph was discovered in the England team's dressing room in Cape Town's Green Point stadium on 18 June, following England's 0-0 draw with Algeria. He claims he chanced upon the room while looking for a lavatory, but the fan exchanged words about England's performance with former captain David Beckham before he was escorted out. Joseph told BBC Breakfast on Thursday that he had spoken calmly, but said: 'I've spent a lot of money getting out here, that was a disgrace, what are you going to do about it? Nobody said anything, but the players looked shocked,' he added. Wright, who is on bail, made a brief appearance at Cape Town's World Cup court on Thursday, where senior prosecutor Billy Downer announced the trial dates of 10 and 11 July, which coincide with the end of the tournament.
Downer, a deputy director of public prosecutions in the Western Cape, told magistrate Joe Magele: 'Hopefully, we'll be able to finish the matter before the World Cup (final) starts.' Well, yeah. Wouldn't want a trivial matter like justice to get in the way of you watching the big match, Bill. Booth told the court he wanted to record publicly that there was no charge of conspiracy or collusion between his client and Joseph. Speaking outside court, he added: 'In fact, they met after the incident, as a result of a telephone call made to the Sunday Mirror by Mr Joseph's sister. So this whole issue has no basis whatsoever.' Asked if Joseph might be called as a witness, he said it would be 'a bit difficult' getting him to Cape Town for the weekend. 'We'll just have to see how it goes. If we have to call him, and we have to bring an application for the matter to be adjourned and for my client to return to the UK in the meantime, we'll do that,' he said. Personally, I hope they slap him in chains and throw away they key. Not for the offence, per se, but for being in any way associated with the Sunday Mirror. I hear Robben Island's very nice this time of year, Simon.
World Cup finalists the Netherlands have had to book new accommodation in Johannesburg because they did not expect to make it too the last week of the tournament.
The team had only reserved rooms in the Sandton Hilton hotel until 5 July - the day before their semi-final win against Uruguay. But although they managed to extend their stay at the hotel for a further week after they magnificently beat Brazil in the quarter-finals, they have now been forced to move to the nearby Sunnyside Park hotel ahead of the final on Sunday. Bless 'em! That's the Dutch for you all over. Brilliant players but they can't organise a pot party in a coffeehouse!
I would say that it is the final World Cup with the current refereeing system.' Although Valcke's comments will be interpreted as a change of policy by FIFA following the International Football Association Board's decision to reject goal-line technology and other aids for referees in March, the FIFA general secretary said the speed at which the modern game was played meant the whole approach to refereeing had to be reformed. 'The teams and the players are so strong and so fast. The game is different and the referees are older than all the players,' said Valcke. 'The game is so fast, the ball is flying so quickly, we have to help them and we have to do something and that's why I say it is the last World Cup under the current system.' FIFA president Sepp Blatter has repeatedly rejected calls for the introduction of goal-line technology or TV replays, insisting an element of human error has always been a part of the game. Opponents have also pointed to concerns over universality - that all levels of the game should be subjected to the same rules and methods of refereeing. But following the Lampard incident and Carlos Tevez's offside strike for Argentina against Mexico a few hours later, Blatter performed a dramatic U-turn, saying that it would be 'a nonsense' not to reopen the file on technology. IFAB - the game's rule making body which consists of representatives of the English, Scottish, Northern Irish and Welsh FAs as well as four representatives from FIFA - is due to hold a meeting on 21 July where the issue is expected to be discussed. But Valcke added that it was unlikely to hold serious discussions until a further meeting scheduled for October. In March, IFAB heard presentations from two companies pitching to introduce systems which they say provide definitive proof when the ball has crossed the line for a goal. But both Cairos Goal-line technology, which uses a microchip inside a football and magnetic fields around the goal line, and Hawk-Eye, which uses six television cameras positioned around the goal, were rejected. The Cairos system was tested by FIFA in the World Club Championships in Japan in 2007, but despite their claims that the test was a success, IFAB again rejected the proposal in March 2008. Both Hawk-Eye - used in international cricket - and Cairos insist cost is not an issue as they offered to pay for the installation of the system in return for a share of sponsorship rights. The introduction of two extra referees positioned on the goal-line, a move initiated by UEFA president Michel Platini, was trialled last season in the Europa League and is set to be used in the Champions League this coming season and, again, seemed to be something of a success. But again, IFAB turned down the chance to introduce it in time for the World Cup in South Africa.FIFA has said that fans who missed Wednesday's World Cup semi-final between Spain and Germany because of airport congestion may be compensated. Durban's King Shaka Airport turned away flights after an increase in private jets took up all its landing slots. Ah, football. Remember. 'The People's Game'? FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot told reporters the governing body would look into the cases of fans affected. He also said match security will be tightened after an Italian fan invaded the field of play holding a vuvuzela.
Mark Lawrenson, beautifully, described the incident on the BBC as 'somebody who's been drinking without a head!' The fan ran on to the pitch during the opening moments of the first half of the second semi-final - won 1-0 by Spain - before being caught by security. Maingot described the incident as 'certainly not acceptable,' adding that FIFA will 'tighten the controls again' ahead of Sunday's final between Spain and the Netherlands. The Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban was reportedly eighteen hundred short of full capacity for Spain's 1-0 victory over Germany. King Shaka Airport was so congested that even planes which landed successfully had to take to the air again and divert to the other local airport, Durban International. Airports Company South Africa blamed VIP jets for making five flights - carrying approximately seven hundred fans - late by not moving after landing, therefore blocking landing space for the other planes. Some fans missed the entire match. Airport officials have now said that VIP jets will be towed if they refuse to make way for commercial airlines at Johannesburg Airport on Sunday. 'We are going to be more forceful. If aircraft refuse to move we will tow them away,' ACSA operations manager Themba Maseko stated. ACSA chief executive Monhla Hlahla told a local radio station that 'priority had to be given to VIPs who were caught up in the situation,' adding that FIFA planes were allowed to land before commercial flights. A statement that should, frankly, see the man fired. Preferably out of a cannon. South Africa's transport minister Sibusiso Ndebele has apologised to the fans and vowed to 'strengthen' plans for the remainder of the World Cup.Englishman Howard Webb has been chosen to referee the World Cup final between Netherlands and Spain in Johannesburg on Sunday, FIFA has confirmed. The thirty eight-year-old Yorkshireman has had a good tournament so far, as have his assistants Michael Mullarkey and Darren Cann, who will join him in the final. Webb is the first Englishman to referee the final since Jack Taylor in 1974.
He has refereed three World Cup matches in South Africa and has neither shown a red card nor awarded a penalty. Webb's first match in charge was Spain's shock 1-0 defeat by Switzerland. He was also in charge for Slovakia's 3-2 victory against Italy - which saw the defending champions knocked out of the tournament - and was praised for his handling of a dramatic finale to the match. In the last-sixteen stage Webb refereed Brazil's 3-0 win over Chile, but he missed out on the quarter-finals and semi-finals. Webb and his assistants have enjoyed a highly successful season, having already officiated the Champions League final in May, when Inter Milan beat Bayern Munich in Madrid. And their performances have boosted English referees' standing around the world after the debacle in the 2006 World Cup when Graham Poll handed out three yellow cards to one player during the match between Australia and Croatia.A Sunday Mirror journalist arrested after a fan entered England's World Cup dressing room is due to go on trial in South Africa this weekend. Simon Wright is accused of attempting to defeat the ends of justice and breaching the Immigration Act. His lawyer, William Booth, said there was 'never any evidence' of conspiracy between Wright and the football fan. Pavlos Joseph from London, paid a sixty five pound fine last week. As a result, all charges against him were dropped. Mortgage adviser Joseph was discovered in the England team's dressing room in Cape Town's Green Point stadium on 18 June, following England's 0-0 draw with Algeria. He claims he chanced upon the room while looking for a lavatory, but the fan exchanged words about England's performance with former captain David Beckham before he was escorted out. Joseph told BBC Breakfast on Thursday that he had spoken calmly, but said: 'I've spent a lot of money getting out here, that was a disgrace, what are you going to do about it? Nobody said anything, but the players looked shocked,' he added. Wright, who is on bail, made a brief appearance at Cape Town's World Cup court on Thursday, where senior prosecutor Billy Downer announced the trial dates of 10 and 11 July, which coincide with the end of the tournament.
Downer, a deputy director of public prosecutions in the Western Cape, told magistrate Joe Magele: 'Hopefully, we'll be able to finish the matter before the World Cup (final) starts.' Well, yeah. Wouldn't want a trivial matter like justice to get in the way of you watching the big match, Bill. Booth told the court he wanted to record publicly that there was no charge of conspiracy or collusion between his client and Joseph. Speaking outside court, he added: 'In fact, they met after the incident, as a result of a telephone call made to the Sunday Mirror by Mr Joseph's sister. So this whole issue has no basis whatsoever.' Asked if Joseph might be called as a witness, he said it would be 'a bit difficult' getting him to Cape Town for the weekend. 'We'll just have to see how it goes. If we have to call him, and we have to bring an application for the matter to be adjourned and for my client to return to the UK in the meantime, we'll do that,' he said. Personally, I hope they slap him in chains and throw away they key. Not for the offence, per se, but for being in any way associated with the Sunday Mirror. I hear Robben Island's very nice this time of year, Simon.World Cup finalists the Netherlands have had to book new accommodation in Johannesburg because they did not expect to make it too the last week of the tournament.
The team had only reserved rooms in the Sandton Hilton hotel until 5 July - the day before their semi-final win against Uruguay. But although they managed to extend their stay at the hotel for a further week after they magnificently beat Brazil in the quarter-finals, they have now been forced to move to the nearby Sunnyside Park hotel ahead of the final on Sunday. Bless 'em! That's the Dutch for you all over. Brilliant players but they can't organise a pot party in a coffeehouse!
