FIFA President Joseph Blatter during the host city press conference on 6 June - Photo 2010 FWLOC
Zurich, Switzerland and Johannisburg, South Africa (GenevaLunch) – Sepp Blatter, president of World football body Fifa, has apologized to England and to Mexico for the refereeing errors in last Sunday’s knockout matches, at a press conference in Johannisburg 29 June.
“I have expressed to them apologies and I understand they are not happy and that people are criticising”, Blatter was quoted as saying.
He also said that Fifa would review its opposition to video reviews of goals at its July meeting. Fifa has consistently opposed any type of technological review methods to dispel doubts about goals, the offside rule and tackles, unlike other sports like tennis.
On Sunday, a clearly offside Carlos Tevez of Argentina scored the first goal against Mexico. The goal was allowed.
Earlier, a shot on goal by England’s Frank Lampard against Germany, which went into the goal after bouncing off the crossbeam, was not allowed.
Fulham, London, England (GenevaLunch) - Manchester United lost another Premier League game when they were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by Roy Hodgson’s Fulham. The London manager, who once coached the Swiss national team, took full advantage of the shaky Manchester defense which was weakened by many injured absentees. Chelsea were only able to manage a 1-1 draw at West Ham, and this was thanks to a dubious penalty decision. Frank Lampard took it three times before the referee was satisfied. Chelsea now lead Man United by four points.
Manchester City won 4-3 against Sunderland but it was not enough to save the job of manager Mark Hughes, who is being replaced by Roberto Mancini, ex-manager of Inter Milan. Arsenal beat Hull 3-0 to take third place while Aston Villa are next after beating Stoke 1-0.
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