FIFA dig in over technology demands

A fan of the German national football team celebrates the victory of the home team against England, at a match marred by a refreeing mistake. (AFP)

FIFA has steadfastly refused to act on calls to introduce technology to arbitrate on contentious decisions after refereeing mistakes marred Sunday's two last 16 matches at the World Cup.

Fans and media around the world on Monday urged football's world governing body to react to persistent demands for the introduction of technology to adjudicate on controversial refereeing decisions.

But FIFA's official spokesman Nicolas Maingot said the organisation's stance remained the same on the non-use of technology, even though its use is widespread in other popular global sports, tennis, Formula One, rugby, field hockey and cricket.

"We will not open any debateon refereeing decisions at the daily media briefing, this is not the place for this and you will appreciate that I am not competent to do that," Maingot told reporters.

Answers have been demanded of FIFA after major refereeing blunders in Sunday's Germany-England and Argentina-Mexico second-round matches, which were beamed around the world.

Midfielder Frank Lampard had a perfectly good goal ruled out in England's 4-1 mauling by Germany in Bloemfontein.

Lampard's shot bounced off the underside of the German crossbar in the first half and landed a yard over the goal-line but it was missed by both Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda and his assistant.

Then in the following match at Soccer City, replays showed that Carlos Tevez was clearly in an off-side position when he was awarded the opening goal in