Dismal, dreadful, disappointing. Call it what you will, there is no escaping England's woeful and limp exit from the World Cup at the hands of Germany. But as inexcusable as the performance was, it's not as infuriating as FIFA's refusal to introduce technology in the game.Frank Lampard's strike before half time crossed the line. That is fact. The millions of us watching on television saw it. The 70,000 inside the Free State Stadium saw it. That includes Daily Mail writer Martin Samuel who said from his "seat 70 yards away from Neuer's goalmouth, without recourse to television replay, it was apparent England had scored".
It probably wouldn't have changed the outcome, but the inconvenient truth for FIFA and especially Sepp Blatter, who was in the stands in Bloemfontein yesterday afternoon, is that this was another example where simple use of technology could eradicate such debate.
Of course, this is a moot point ever since Geoff Hurst's goal in 1966, but there's now been too many high profile examples - ask the Irish - where a speedily available television replay would save the officials and the establishment the embarrassment of getting a decision just so wrong.
I sympathise with those who feel that the use of television replays would get in the way of the pace of the game. But we've already seen, in the use of five on the field officials in Europa League games, that extra eyes help (almost certainly an extra referee would have seen Thierry Henry's handball). Hawkeye Innovations have already tested their method for goal line decisions. Adidas have already been experimenting with a ball with a microchip inside - again to decipher dubious goal calls.
Goal line decisions are not subjective. It's either a goal or not. Assistant referee Mauricio Espinosa can not be blamed for not spotting that Lampard's shot had gone over the line. Ways of assisting our men in black are there, and there would be very few referees who wouldn't appreciate the assistance. So, FIFA, please, take this game out of the 19th century.
So, Sepp Blatter has apologised to the English and Mexican FAs regarding the two high profile referee mistakes. The FIFA President has even gone as far as saying "it would be a nonsense not to reopen the file on goal-line technology". Excuse me for being a cynic, but haven't we heard this all before. This Armchair Athelete will not be content until Mr Blatter follows through with this pledge.
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