FIFA, it's time to act

How Frank Lampard’s shot that landed so far over the line and witnessed by virtually everyone in the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, was missed by the two people with the power to influence the game, will remain a staggering mystery.

There’s no doubt the best team won that match, but that’s not the point.

We will never know how England would have fared at 2-2. Chasing the match, they clearly struggled against a quicker more skilful Germany on the counter attack.

Would it have made a difference structurally, psychologically if Lampard’s goal was allowed? Of course it would have. Capello would have played more within England’s limitations and there would have been a totally different mindset in winning the game.

Ok, England’s defence was poor, their midfield lost possession at key moments allowing Germany’s creative players to wreak havoc. But on the subject of Lampard’s goal, interpretation is one thing, but fact is fact and I believe if Football is to stay in touch with other major global sports, video technology must be introduced.

FFA President Sepp Blatter has railed against this, saying football will lose its human element if it applies replay technology in officiating matches. But by digging its heels in and effectively taking it off the negotiating table, the World governing body is denying a level playing field.

In Johannesburg Argentina outclassed Mexico, but when Carlos Tevez headed in Lionel Messi’s goal-bound effort it started a domino effect that “ El Tri” never recovered from.

Minutes later Francisco Rodriguez, a normally dependable and assured defender, made the mistake of his career. A rabbit in headlights square pass, hungrily consumed by Gonzalo Higuain, it was effectively game over.

The defensive blunder ywas made in a stunned state of disbelief. Would Rodriguez have committed that schoolboy error if the Tevez goal was disallowed, we will never know.

Yes sport is all about overcoming adversity, but don’t we all thrive in seeing a fair contest?

When describing its Fair Play campaign FIFA states: “The generic concept of fair play is a fundamental part of the game of football. It represents the positive benefits of playing by the rules, using common sense and respecting fellow players, referees, opponents and fans”

The time has come for rules to be changed, opponents and fans to be respected and common sense to prevail.